Issue Position: Budgeting Priorities

Issue Position

Review Corporate Tax Incentives
Tax incentives can be a wise investment, but we need to make sure that we are getting our share of the return on those investments. Too often when companies come they bring out-of-state workers and contractors or they fail to meet their end of the investment for the incentives they are offered.

Under a DuPree administration, every business receiving substantial tax breaks from the state will be required to undergo an annual review to ensure they are upholding their end of the bargain. And if they are not creating the jobs, making the investments or hiring from within the state as they are required to do, we should end their tax breaks.

Close Personal Income Tax Loopholes
In Fiscal Year 2010, more than $1.4 billion in personal income taxes went to the general fund for state operations. That represented 31 percent of our tax collections for the year.

Because of the lack of personal income taxes in border states like Tennessee and Florida, many wealthy people who own businesses and homes in counties close to our state borders choose to claim residency in these other states and never pay a dime in Mississippi income taxes.

Like in other state, a DuPree administration would require that every person who works in Mississippi, claims homestead in Mississippi or reports to be a resident of Mississippi pays Mississippi income taxes. Because when they don't, they are cheating you, me and the State of Mississippi.

Review Leases
Over the past 8 years, the state of Mississippi has lost billions of dollars in wildlife leases. Our 16th Section land leases continue to bring in less money for public education than they should. And easements over state-owned lands have been given away.

A DuPree administration would work with the Secretary of State, the State Auditor and the State Department of Revenue to ensure that:

* All state leases are reviewed to ensure we are not offering leases below fair market value.
* Require tougher enforcement and reviews of 16th Section land leases by the state.
* Ensure easements on state lands are provided at fair market value.
* Review leases paid by the state to ensure we are not paying over fair market value.

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