One Voice Mississippi: Bill Analysis: House Bill 1439: Tax Proposal Moves State Away from a Better, More Equitable Mississippi
ITEP Work in ActionMississippi’s House of Representatives recently passed House Bill 1439 (“the Mississippi Tax Freedom Act of 2021”). The House passed the 300-page bill less than 24 hours after they introduced it with little debate and no fiscal note. The plan revives the recurring attempts of some lawmakers to cut state income taxes, but does much more. This proposal would eliminate the individual income tax, replace the lost revenue with numerous sales tax increases and decrease the grocery tax. This would not only create an unsustainable revenue shortfall that will likely lead to cuts to schools, healthcare and the criminal justice system, but it would also deepen existing income, race and gender inequities in the state.