Mississippi
Deserves Better.
The facts our leaders don’t want you to see — and the fixes they won’t talk about.
Not paid for by any campaign • Built by a concerned Mississippian
How Mississippi Ranks Nationally
These rankings come from major national organizations. They are not opinions. They are measurements.
| Category | Grade |
|---|---|
| Overall Best States (US News 2025)48th out of 50 | F |
| Quality of Healthcare51st — DEAD LAST† | F |
| Ability to Get Healthcare51st — DEAD LAST† | F |
| Life Expectancy51st — DEAD LAST† | F |
| Infant Mortality50th out of 50 | F |
| Teacher Pay51st — DEAD LAST† | F |
| Poverty Rate50th out of 50 | F |
| Typical Family Income50th out of 50 | F |
| People in Prison (per person)1st — HIGHEST RATE | F |
| Infrastructure47th out of 50 | D |
| Job and Economic Opportunity49th out of 50 | F |
| Internet Access48th out of 50 | F |
| State Financial Health47th out of 50 | D |
| Babies Born Too Early52nd — DEAD LAST‡ | F |
| Pre-K Program Quality (10/10 standards met)Proof we CAN lead1st — TIED FOR BEST | A+ |
† Rankings out of 51 include Washington D.C. ranked alongside all 50 states. Mississippi ranks last among all of them.
‡ The March of Dimes ranks 52 entries — all 50 states plus Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico. Mississippi ranks last among all of them.
The one bright spot: Mississippi meets ALL 10 quality benchmarks for Pre-K programs — proof that when we invest and do things right, we CAN lead the nation. Now imagine if we applied that same effort everywhere.
Mississippi By the Numbers
These aren’t opinions. These are facts. Read them and ask: is this acceptable?
Roads, Bridges, and Potholes
Our infrastructure is crumbling. We have the money to fix it. So why isn't it getting fixed?
The Problem
- The American Society of Civil Engineers gave Mississippi’s roads a D- in 2024. That’s almost failing.
- Out of 16,711 bridges, 967 have parts in poor condition and need attention. Another 7,324 need repairs. That’s nearly half of all bridges.
- Mississippi received $225 million in federal money to fix bridges through a 2021 federal law. As of June 2025, the state has only committed $76.8 million toward just 28 projects. Where is the rest of the money?
- Some of the worst bridges carry 20,000 to 31,000 cars every single day — like the I-20 bridges in Warren, Rankin, and Hinds counties.
- Drinking water and wastewater systems both got D- grades.
- Jackson’s water system collapsed in August 2022. 150,000 people lost safe water for weeks. The federal government had to step in and take over. Since then, leaks have been reduced by 25%, but a permanent, long-term fix is still needed. A deadline of October 2026 is approaching.
The Fix
- Demand the state actually spend the federal money it’s been given. We got $225 million for bridges. Use it.
- Create a public dashboard showing every bridge's condition so citizens can see what's happening.
- Pass a dedicated infrastructure fund that politicians can't raid for other purposes.
- Support Jackson water system's transition to permanent professional management before the 2026 deadline.
- Require annual public reports on road and bridge conditions by county.
- Fix the busiest bridges first — the ones carrying 20,000+ cars a day.
Schools and Education
We're running out of teachers. And underpaying the ones we have.
The Problem
- As of November 2025, Mississippi has 6,907 total education vacancies — teachers, principals, bus drivers, cafeteria workers, nurses. Up 1,747 from last year.
- 3,815 are classroom teacher vacancies — up 851 from last year.
- Mississippi ranks 51st out of 51 (including DC) in teacher pay at $53,704. National average: $74,177. California pays $101,084.
- Also 750 bus driver vacancies, 459 food service vacancies, 917 teacher assistant vacancies.
- School accountability: only 80% of schools rated C or higher in 2024–25, down from 85.7%.
- Student-to-teacher ratio is 13.0 (15th best nationally), but vacancies mean overcrowding and substitutes in many classrooms.
| School Year | Total Vacancies |
|---|---|
| 2021–22 | 5,503 |
| 2022–23 | 4,988 |
| 2023–24 | 5,012 |
| 2024–25 | 5,160 |
| 2025–26 | 6,907 |
When teachers got pay raises in 2022-23, vacancies went DOWN. Proof that pay matters.
The Fix
- Raise teacher pay to at least the regional average — when MS raised pay before, vacancies dropped immediately.
- Create loan forgiveness programs for teachers who stay 5+ years.
- Offer housing help for teachers in rural areas.
- Raise pay for bus drivers, cafeteria workers, and all support staff.
- Expand "Grow Your Own" teacher pipeline programs.
- Simplify teacher certification without lowering quality.
- Invest in mentoring programs so new teachers don't burn out.
Healthcare — Pregnancies & Women's Health
Having a baby in Mississippi is becoming more dangerous. And we're losing the hospitals that deliver them.
The Problem
- 68% of rural hospitals do NOT deliver babies. Women may drive 35+ minutes to reach a hospital that handles births.
- A national health organization gave Mississippi an F grade for babies born too early — ranked last out of all 52 entries.
- 15% of Mississippi babies are born prematurely. The national average is 10.4%.
- More Mississippi babies died in their first year in 2024 than any year in over a decade — 9.7 deaths per 1,000 births.
- Mississippi ranks 45th for maternal mortality (mothers dying from pregnancy or childbirth), 50th for infant mortality (babies dying in their first year).
- Over 80% of pregnancy-related deaths are PREVENTABLE with proper care.
- Greenwood Leflore Hospital in the Delta filing for bankruptcy — may close. Only nearby hospital for many Delta residents.
- 8 rural hospitals are on the verge of closing due to financial trouble.
- Black women are 1.5 times more likely to die from cervical cancer.
The Fix
- Expand Medicaid — this alone would save rural hospitals and give pregnant women access to care.
- Fund mobile health clinics that travel to communities without hospitals.
- Let pregnant women in rural areas see their doctor online or by video (prenatal care doesn't always require driving an hour).
- Create incentives to bring OB-GYN doctors (doctors who deliver babies and care for women) and midwives to rural Mississippi.
- Extend health coverage for new mothers to a full year after birth — right now it cuts off after 60 days.
- Invest in community health workers — local people trained to guide pregnant women through getting care.
- Save Greenwood Leflore Hospital — support the partnership with the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC).
Mental Health
We've cut the number of mental health workers in half. Then we jail people in crisis and wonder why nothing improves.
The Problem
- The mental health workforce has been cut in half — from nearly 9,000 workers in 2009 to just 4,684 today.
- Mississippi ranks 7th worst in the country for access to mental health care.
- 70 counties don’t have enough mental health providers — about 911,600 people (31% of the state) have little or no access.
- There aren’t enough psychiatrists in the entire state to meet people’s needs.
- People in mental health crisis used to wait an average of 8 days in JAIL just for a civil mental health commitment bed (a hospital bed for someone in serious mental health crisis). It’s now down to 2.7 days — but people having a mental health crisis should not be in jail at all.
- The federal government sued Mississippi over its mental health system — said it violated the civil rights of people with mental illness.
The Fix
- Expand the psychiatry residency program (training program for doctors who treat mental illness) at Mississippi State Hospital — it gets 500+ applicants a year. Train more and keep them in Mississippi.
- Forgive student loans for mental health workers who serve in areas that don't have enough providers.
- Fund more local mental health centers where people live.
- Build crisis intervention teams — trained mental health workers who respond to mental health emergencies alongside police, so sick people aren't just arrested.
- Let rural patients see therapists and psychiatrists online or by video, so distance isn't a barrier.
- Stop sending people having mental health crises to jail — build crisis stabilization centers (safe places to go during a mental health emergency) instead.
- Increase pay for mental health workers so Mississippi can attract and keep them.
Crime
70% of violent crimes go unsolved. That means most criminals walk free. Communities can't heal that way.
The Problem
- In 2024: 217 murders and 6,194 violent crimes total. Murder rate: 7.4 per 100,000.
- High-crime cities (violent crimes per 100K): Laurel: 1,052 | Natchez: 669 | Vicksburg: 617
- Only 30% of violent crimes are “cleared” (solved) — 70% go unsolved.
- Only about 52% of murders are solved.
- Most common weapon: firearm.
The Fix
- Invest in more law enforcement officers AND better training, especially for investigations.
- Fund violence intervention programs proven to work in other states.
- Address root causes: poverty, lack of jobs, mental health care, education.
- Invest in youth programs, after-school activities, and job training.
- Improve lighting, cameras, and community policing in high-crime areas.
- Support re-entry programs for people leaving prison.
- Study what’s working — Cleveland, MS saw 100% improvement in crime velocity (how fast crime rates changed).
Poverty and Health Coverage
One in four kids lives in poverty. We have a solution. Our leaders keep saying no.
The Problem
Mississippi Child Poverty Rate
25.2% of Mississippi children live below the poverty line — nearly double the national average of 14%.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 American Community Survey
- 17.8% of Mississippians (about 508,000 people) live in poverty (2024).
- 1 in 4 children (25.2%) live in poverty.
- Mississippi is one of the LAST states that hasn’t expanded health coverage for working adults through Medicaid.
- To qualify for Medicaid in Mississippi, a parent can earn no more than $7,230/year for a family of 3 — well below even the federal poverty level (the income the government says is too poor to live on). Most working adults get nothing.
- The state House voted 99-20 — bipartisan (both Democrats AND Republicans) — to expand coverage. The Senate blocked it with a weaker version that turns down about $1 billion a year in federal money.
- Expansion could give health insurance to 50,000 to 200,000 working Mississippians who currently have none.
- The federal government pays 90% of the cost. Independent studies show Mississippi would actually save money.
- Native American poverty jumped from 20.4% to 33.1% over 10 years.
- The typical Mississippi family of 4 earns about $49,398 a year — well below the national average.
EXPAND MEDICAID.
The House voted 99-20 for it.
The feds pay 90% of the cost.
Studies show the state saves money. There is no good reason not to do this.
The Fix
- Push the Senate to pass a clean, straightforward bill — no tricks or workarounds that gut the coverage.
- Raise the minimum wage — $7.25/hour hasn’t changed since 2009.
- Expand job training programs.
- Invest in affordable childcare so parents can work.
- Make it easier for families to get food assistance.
- Bring more jobs to rural areas.
Aid for Poor Families — Fraud and Failure
The largest aid fraud in U.S. history happened here. While the poorest families got $260 a month.
The Problem
- Biggest welfare fraud in American history: $94 million in poor families’ aid money stolen or misused.
- Money went to the well-connected: $1.1 million to Brett Favre for speeches he never gave. $5 million for a volleyball stadium at Southern Miss.
- Six people arrested. The federal government wants $101 million back.
- Meanwhile, this aid program only reaches 4% of families who qualify (the national average is 21%).
- The most a family of 3 can receive: $260/month — less than 13% of what it costs to live above the poverty line.
- In 2021, the state had $146 million in unused aid money sitting in reserve — while families went without help.
- If you have more than $2,000 in savings (the asset limit), you lose benefits — punishing families for trying to save.
- Benefits cut off completely after 5 years, no matter what your situation is.
The Fix
- Prosecute EVERYONE involved and recover every dollar.
- Increase benefits — $260/month is not enough. Louisiana raised theirs to $484.
- Make it easier for families who need help to get it — only 4% are currently being served.
- Eliminate or raise the $2,000 savings limit — families should not lose help just for saving money.
- Tie benefits to inflation (rising prices over time) so families don't fall further behind every year.
- Create independent oversight (outside watchdogs, not politicians) so this can never happen again.
- Hire more caseworkers so families don't wait months for an answer.
- Protect people who report fraud from retaliation (whistleblower protections).
Life Expectancy
Where you're born shouldn't determine how long you live. But in Mississippi, it does.
The Problem
Life Expectancy at Birth (years)
Source: CDC National Center for Health Statistics, 2023
- Mississippi has the LOWEST life expectancy of any state — just 70.9 years.
- That’s nearly a decade less than Hawaii (79.9) and 7.5 years less than the national average (78.4).
- Born in Mississippi instead of Hawaii = live almost a decade less.
- Main killers: heart disease, obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, smoking — all tied to poverty, lack of healthcare, and lack of healthy food.
- Mississippi ranks 48th in obesity, 48th in diabetes, 49th in hypertension.
- Black Mississippians have even shorter life expectancy.
The Fix
- Expand Medicaid so people can see a doctor before small problems become deadly.
- Invest in preventive care — going to the doctor BEFORE you get really sick. Annual checkups, screenings, health education.
- Fix the shortage of grocery stores in rural areas.
- Fund community health programs for heart disease, diabetes, blood pressure.
- Fund programs that help people quit smoking.
- Make physical activity more accessible — fund parks, trails, recreation centers.
- Address root causes: poverty, lack of education, lack of healthcare access.
Prisons and Jails
We lock up more people per person than any state in America — more than any country in the world.
The Problem
- Mississippi locks up more people per person than any other state in the country — 661 out of every 100,000 residents. The national average is 311. That’s twice the national rate.
- 721% increase since 1970.
- 19,242 people behind bars costing taxpayers $459 million a year (~$24,000 per person).
- A 1995 law known as the “85% rule” requires people to serve at least 85% of their sentence before they can apply for early release (parole eligibility) — this dramatically increased the prison population and costs.
- More than 1 in 3 people (37.1%) who leave prison end up back inside within a few years — that’s called recidivism.
- 45% of people sitting in jail haven’t been convicted of anything — they just can’t afford to pay bail while they wait for trial.
- The number of women imprisoned has grown 10x since 1970.
- Parchman prison has faced lawsuits over dangerous, inhumane conditions.
The Fix
- Reform the 85% rule for non-violent offenders with good behavior.
- Expand alternatives to prison: special courts for drug and mental health cases, community service, electronic monitoring instead of jail for low-risk people.
- Invest in programs that help people reenter society: job training, housing, mentoring.
- Reform bail so being poor isn’t the same as being guilty.
- Increase funding for public defenders (free lawyers for people who can't afford one) so everyone gets proper legal representation.
- Use money saved from lower prison costs to fund education, jobs, and mental health care.
- Independent oversight (outside watchdogs, not politicians) of prison conditions.
Wages
The lowest wages in America. A minimum wage that hasn't moved in 16 years. And cities aren't even allowed to fix it themselves.
The Problem
Average Hourly Wage — Mississippi vs. Neighbors
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2024
- Mississippi has NO state minimum wage — relies on the federal $7.25/hour, unchanged since 2009.
- At $7.25/hour full-time: $15,080/year BEFORE taxes. Poverty line for family of 3: $25,820. You can’t support a family on that.
- Servers and other workers who receive tips can legally be paid as little as $2.13/hour.
- Average wage: $27.95/hour — lowest in the entire country. Lower than every neighbor (AL $31.15, AR $29.79, LA $29.53, TN $30.81).
- State law PROHIBITS cities and towns from setting their own higher minimum wage.
- A 2023 bill for $10.50/hour died in committee — the legislature wouldn’t even vote on it.
The Fix
- Pass a state minimum wage of at least $12–15/hour tied to inflation (rising prices over time) so it doesn’t fall behind.
- Remove the ban on local minimum wages — let cities decide.
- Raise the tipped minimum wage — $2.13/hour is an insult.
- Strengthen enforcement of wage laws.
- Expand the Earned Income Tax Credit — extra money back on your taxes if you work but earn low wages.
- Invest in job training programs.
- Protect workers' right to organize and form unions.
Insurance
Some of the highest insurance costs in America. In one of the poorest states. That's a crisis.
The Problem
- 8th most expensive state for homeowner’s insurance — average $3,833/year and rising.
- Gulf Coast (Hancock, Harrison, Jackson counties): average $7,459/year — over $600/month just for insurance.
- Many insurers PULLING OUT of coastal Mississippi — fewer choices, higher prices.
- Wind/hail deductibles (what YOU pay before insurance kicks in): 2–5% of home value — on a $250K home, you pay the first $5,000–$12,500 out of pocket.
- Mississippi averages 45 tornadoes/year (up from historical 30).
- Auto insurance also among the highest nationally.
- Crushing costs for one of the lowest-income states in America.
The Fix
- Create a state consumer advocate office (someone who fights for regular people against big insurance companies) with real power.
- Strengthen building codes for storm resistance — lowers claims and premiums long-term.
- Expand the Mississippi Windstorm Underwriting Association — a state-run group that provides coverage when private insurers won't.
- Tax credits for homeowners who storm-proof their homes.
- Crack down on insurers denying legitimate claims.
- Explore a state-backed reinsurance program — a backup system that keeps insurance companies able to pay out claims after major disasters.
- Require insurers to publicly justify rate increases.
People Leaving Mississippi
Our best and brightest keep leaving. Low wages are a big reason why.
The Problem
- Young, educated people are leaving Mississippi at alarming rates.
- Average hourly wage: $27.95 — LOWEST of any state, lower than every neighboring state.
- Minimum wage stuck at $7.25 since 2009. A bill for $10.50 died without even getting a vote.
- State law BLOCKS cities from setting their own minimum wage.
- Mississippi Today and University of Mississippi launched the state’s first-ever scientific study on brain drain in 2025.
The Fix
- Raise the minimum wage.
- Allow cities to set their own minimum wages.
- “Stay in Mississippi” incentives: loan forgiveness, homebuyer assistance, tax breaks for young professionals.
- Invest in tech, healthcare, renewable energy, creative industries.
- Partner with universities to create career pipelines — programs that train people and connect them to good jobs right here in Mississippi.
- Improve quality of life: better schools, safer communities, cultural opportunities.
- Support entrepreneurship — help people start their own businesses here.
Childcare
Parents can't work if they can't afford childcare. And Mississippi is making it nearly impossible.
The Problem
- Only 21% of children age 5 and under are served by federal and state childcare programs — 4 out of 5 have no formal support.
- Lost 52 licensed childcare centers in one year (2023–2024): from 1,548 to 1,496.
- Infant care: $572/month ($6,868/year). For a single parent earning MS median $26,911: that’s 28.6% of income. Federal “affordable” threshold: 7%. Mississippi is 4x that.
- 64% of kids under 5 have all parents in the workforce — they NEED childcare.
- Childcare challenges cost Mississippi’s economy $659 million/year in lost earnings and productivity.
- Only 14,074 children under 5 served by the government subsidy program (money the government gives to help pay for childcare) out of 66,408 eligible — 79% get NO help.
- Head Start reaches only 49% of eligible preschoolers, 13% of eligible infants/toddlers.
The Fix
- Increase state funding for childcare subsidies (money that helps families pay for care) — 79% of eligible families are turned away.
- Grants and tax incentives to open new centers, especially where they've closed.
- Raise childcare worker pay — poverty wages are why centers keep closing.
- Expand Head Start and Early Head Start — federal programs that provide free early education and childcare for low-income families.
- Tax breaks for employers who help workers pay for childcare.
- Make it easier to apply for childcare assistance.
- Support family childcare homes — cheaper to operate, fill gaps.
- Treat childcare like essential infrastructure — because parents can’t work without it, and the economy can’t grow without workers.
Fresh Food, Internet Access & Clean Water
In parts of Mississippi, you can't find fresh food, get online, or even drink the water safely.
No Grocery Stores
The Problem
- Many Delta communities have no grocery stores — a 30+ minute drive just to find fresh food.
- Most areas have only fast food and convenience stores — no fresh fruit, vegetables, or healthy options.
- Mississippi ranks 48th in obesity and 48th in diabetes. Heart disease is the #1 killer.
The Fix
- Support Delta GREENS.
- Tax breaks for grocery stores that open in areas without them.
- Expand farmers markets and community gardens.
- Fund mobile food trucks that bring fresh food to communities.
Internet Access
The Problem
- About 1 in 5 Mississippians still can’t get reliable internet at home.
- In Coahoma County, 39% of households have no computer at all.
- No internet means no homework help, no job applications, no telehealth visits.
- A state office was created in 2022 to expand broadband access, but progress is slow.
The Fix
- Speed up the rollout of federal internet expansion funding.
- Subsidized internet for low-income households.
- Free WiFi at libraries and community centers.
- Every child needs a device for schoolwork.
Water Crisis
The Problem
- Jackson's water system collapsed in August 2022 — no safe water for weeks, requiring a federal takeover.
- Mississippi earns D- grades for both drinking water and wastewater infrastructure statewide.
- Water loss has dropped 25%, but no permanent solution is in place.
- A permanent management transition is required by October 2026.
The Fix
- State water infrastructure fund.
- Support permanent management transition.
- No Mississippi community should have unsafe water.
The Income Tax Elimination — Who Really Benefits?
The state just gave away $2.7 billion a year in tax revenue. Here's who got most of it.
Annual Tax Cut by Income Group
Note: The top 1%’s tax cut of $41,420 is roughly equal to a starting teacher’s salary in Mississippi (~$41,000). The state is giving one year of teacher pay, every year, to each wealthy individual — while schools can’t fill 3,815 vacant teaching positions.
The Problem
- In March 2025, Governor Tate Reeves signed a law to ELIMINATE Mississippi’s state income tax entirely.
- When fully in effect, this will cost the state approximately $2.7 BILLION per year in lost revenue (money the state brings in from taxes) — roughly one-third of the entire state budget.
- The top 1% of earners (average income: $1.4M/year) will receive an average tax cut of $41,420 per year.
- The bottom 20% of earners (average income: $13,400/year) will receive a tax cut of just $42 per year.
- The wealthiest 5% of Mississippians will receive nearly 40% of the total tax cut.
- To partially offset lost revenue, the gas tax was increased from 18.4 to 27.5 cents per gallon — a tax that hits working people and rural commuters the hardest.
- The grocery sales tax was reduced from 7% to 5% — a small benefit, far outweighed by the income tax windfall for the wealthy.
- The state’s credit outlook (how banks and lenders rate Mississippi’s finances) was already downgraded after previous tax cuts.
- The top 1% tax cut of $41,420 is roughly equal to a starting teacher’s salary in Mississippi.
- This revenue funds education, healthcare, roads, and everything else on this website. Where will the money come from when it’s gone?
The Fix
- Demand transparency: require annual public reports showing exactly who gets the tax cuts and what services are being reduced.
- Prioritize the needs of working families over tax breaks for the wealthy.
- If the income tax is eliminated, find replacement revenue — don't just cut services that poor and working families depend on.
- Protect school funding, healthcare, and road budgets from being cut to make up for lost revenue.
- Ask your legislators: "If we lose $2.7 billion a year, what gets cut? Schools? Roads? Hospitals?"
- Look at what happened in other states that eliminated their income taxes — many ended up raising sales taxes, property taxes, or fees that hit working people harder.
Where Your Tax Dollars Go — The State Budget
Mississippi's budget year (FY2026) is $7.7 billion. Here's how it's split — and what's at risk.
Hover/tap to explore
Mississippi spends $419M/year on prisons — almost half as much as health coverage ($909M) for the poorest residents.
The state spends $24,000/year per prisoner but only $4,832/year per pre-kindergarten student.
With the income tax being eliminated, $2.7 billion of this budget is at risk every year.
The state has $2.749B in reserves (money saved up). The rainy day fund (emergency savings) holds $667M. Those won't last long at $2.7B/year in cuts.
What Mississippi Could Look Like
Other states have already done these things. Here’s what the numbers look like when you actually make the change.
If Mississippi expanded Medicaid like Louisiana (2016)
Rural hospitals would be stabilized. The federal government pays 90% of the cost.
If Mississippi paid teachers like the national average
When MS raised teacher pay before, vacancies dropped immediately. Pay works.
If Mississippi locked up people at the national average rate
Savings: approximately $218 million per year that could fund education, mental health, and jobs.
If Mississippi raised minimum wage to $15/hour
A $16,120 raise for full-time minimum wage workers. More money spent locally. Economy grows.
Promises vs. Reality
Our leaders make promises. Here’s what actually happened.
Welfare fraud scandal exposed
Only 6 people arrested. $101 million still owed back. The system still only reaches 4% of families who qualify. The poorest Mississippians got $260/month while $94M was stolen.
"Mississippi will fix its roads"
Roads still graded D- in 2024. $225M in federal bridge money received — only $76.8M committed. Nearly half of all bridges still need repair.
"Jackson water will be fixed"
Federal government had to take over. Still under third-party management in 2026. Permanent solution deadline: October 2026 — still unresolved.
Teacher pay raises passed
This one actually worked. Vacancies dropped from 5,503 to 4,988. Proof that investment in teachers pays off. But the raises stopped — and vacancies climbed back to 6,907.
Income tax cut (Phase 1)
The state's credit outlook (how banks and lenders rate Mississippi's finances) was downgraded. Revenue (tax money) shortfalls began. Laid groundwork for the full tax elimination signed in 2025.
MS House votes 99-20 to expand health coverage
Senate blocked it with a watered-down version that turned down ~$1 billion/year in federal money. Still not expanded. ~170,000 Mississippians still have no health insurance.
"Eliminating the income tax helps Mississippi"
$2.7 billion per year in lost revenue (tax money). Top 1% gets $41,420/yr. Bottom 20% gets $42/yr. Gas tax raised to partially make up the difference — hitting working people hardest.
Need Help Right Now?
These are real Mississippi resources — free, confidential, and available to you. No shame. No judgment. Just help.
211 Mississippi Helpline
24/7, free, confidential. Food, housing, utilities, healthcare, and more. Covers all 82 counties.
Crisis Text Line
Free, confidential crisis counseling by text, 24/7.
Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Free 24/7 support for people in distress. You are not alone.
Mississippi Medicaid
Health coverage for those who qualify. Call to check your eligibility.
Legal Aid
Mississippi Center for Legal Services — free civil legal help for those who qualify.
Domestic Violence Hotline
Free, confidential, 24/7. Safe resources for domestic violence survivors.
Mississippi 211 Online Database
Full directory of local services by county and category.
Visit websiteNeed help finding a specific resource? Call 211 — they can connect you with exactly what you need, anywhere in Mississippi.
Frequently Asked Questions
Plain answers to the questions we hear most often.
Medicaid is free or low-cost health insurance for people who can't afford it. "Expanding" it means making it available to more working adults who currently earn too much to qualify but not enough to afford private insurance. The federal government pays 90% of the cost. Mississippi is one of the last states that hasn't done this — even though the state House voted 99-20 in favor.
Mississippi received federal money called TANF — cash aid meant for very poor families with children. $94 million of that money was stolen or misused by well-connected people, including $1.1 million to Brett Favre for speeches he never gave. In Mississippi, the most a family of 3 can receive is $260/month — and only 4% of families who qualify get any help at all.
When teachers aren't paid enough, they leave. Mississippi has 3,815 unfilled teaching positions right now. When MS raised teacher pay in 2022, vacancies dropped immediately. The data is clear: pay works. We rank 51st out of 51 in teacher pay — dead last.
It means parts of the bridge need attention and repairs. It doesn't mean it will collapse tomorrow, but it does mean it's being monitored and needs work. Mississippi has 967 bridges in this condition — and nearly half of all bridges in the state need some level of repair.
The federal government pays 90 cents of every dollar. Mississippi only pays 10 cents. Independent studies show the state would actually save money overall because it would reduce unpaid hospital bills, keep rural hospitals open, and bring federal dollars into the state economy.
Because it costs YOU $459 million a year in taxes — that's money that isn't going to schools, roads, or healthcare. And 45% of the people in jail haven't even been convicted of anything — they just can't afford to pay bail while they wait for trial. Mississippi locks up more people per person than any state in America, or any country in the world.
In 2025, the governor signed a law to eliminate Mississippi's state income tax. When fully in effect, this will cut $2.7 billion per year from the state budget. The top 1% of earners get an average tax cut of $41,420 per year. The bottom 20% get $42 per year. That lost revenue currently funds schools, roads, healthcare, and everything on this site.
No. This site is built by a regular Mississippi citizen. It is not paid for by any campaign, party, or PAC. Every number here comes from a real, verifiable source. The goal is to share facts — and ask whether our leaders are delivering results, regardless of party.
Spread the Word
Everything is free to use. Share it, print it, post it. No permission needed. Help your neighbors know the facts.
One-Page Fact Sheet
PDF — print and hand out at events, churches, or community meetings.
Social Media Graphics
ZIP of 14 shareable images for Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter/X.
Full Report
PDF — all facts and solutions in one comprehensive document.
Presentation Slides
PPTX — ready-to-use slides for community meetings and events.
Social Media Captions
Suggested captions for each graphic — copy, paste, and post.
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This Is Not About Party.
This Is About Results.
Mississippi’s problems are fixable. But only if people demand change.
Register to Vote and Actually Vote
Especially in state and local elections. That's where these decisions are made. Your vote in a city council race matters more than you think.
Contact Your State Legislators
Call them. Email them. Tell them what you expect. They work for you. Most of them never hear from constituents (the people they represent — YOU) — be one who speaks up.
Attend Town Halls and City Council Meetings
Show up. Ask hard questions. Make them see your face. Elected officials pay attention to who shows up in the room.
Share This Information
With your neighbors, family, friends, and church. A lot of people don't know these numbers. Knowing is the first step.
Demand Transparency and Accountability
From every elected official, no matter what party. If they won't tell you how they voted or why — that's a red flag.
Run for Office or Support Someone Who Will
School boards, city councils, county supervisors — these positions matter. And regular people can win them.
“This is not about left or right. This is about whether our leaders are doing their jobs. If they’re not — vote for someone who will.”
Contact Us
Found an error? Have a question? Want to help? We’d love to hear from you.