There has been more economic growth over the past five years than in the previous fifteen years combined. Why?
Mississippi is part of the Boom Belt — a rapidly growing southern state. This didn't happen by accident, but because of a string of free-market reforms that has started to unleash more rapid economic growth. Here are the key reforms that made this success possible.
Swept away its graduated income tax for a single low flat rate in 2022 (Tax Freedom Act, HB 531), then in 2025 passed the Build Up Mississippi Act (HB 1) to phase the income tax out altogether — stepping down to zero as revenues allow.
Stayed right-to-work and, in 2021, passed the Universal Recognition of Occupational Licenses Act (HB 1263) — so a worker licensed in another state can start earning straight away, without paying for a fresh Mississippi permission slip.
Rewrote its school-funding formula in 2024 (the Mississippi Student Funding Formula, HB 4130) so the money follows the child, not the bureaucracy — building on the phonics-first literacy reform that drove the nationally-celebrated ‘Mississippi Miracle’ in reading.
Began dismantling its Certificate-of-Need regime in 2026 (HB 1622) — raising the approval thresholds and adding exemptions so new clinics and hospitals can open and compete, a first step toward a genuinely open healthcare market.
Historically bottom of the class, Mississippi is now among the fastest-improving economies in the country — and, by some measures, now rivals Britain on income per head.
We make the case, build a mass audience, and turn it into reform — recognized twice with the State Policy Network's Bob Williams Award.
Explore incomes, jobs and the reforms behind them — on our dedicated data site.
Help us stack up the next win — and keep Mississippi moving up.
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