State of Mississippi Archives: on Budget & Economy


Chris McDaniel: Those in D.C. don't appear to be listening

Thad Cochran voted for the budget compromise to reopen the federal government--giving any potential opponent fodder for attacks. "There are those in D.C. that don't appear to be listening," McDaniel said in the statement announcing his candidacy. "We stand today ready to restore this republic." [The endorsing groups commented]:
Source: Politico.com on 2014 Mississippi Senate debate Oct 17, 2013

Chris McDaniel: Era of big spending is over; age of appropriations must end

The primary could offer insight into fundamental questions about the Republican Party: whether longevity and clout in a Deep South state that has venerated such qualities are enough to overcome national trends toward limited-government conservatism.

Chris McDaniel has sought to seize on the new antispending fervor, casting Cochran--who has delivered billions of dollars in federal spending projects to his impoverished state--as an avatar of a bygone political culture. "The national debt is the greatest moral crisis of this generation," McDaniel said. "So, let's go forth from this place making it perfectly clear that the era of big spending is over. The age of appropriations must end."

After Cochran announced his re-election bid Friday, the Club for Growth, who have endorsed McDaniel, put out a statement that criticized the senator for his support of earmarked spending projects, for bailing out Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and for raising the federal debt limit.

Source: N.Y. Times on 2014 Mississippi Senate race Dec 6, 2013

Chris McDaniel: Immoral to saddle our grandchildren with this much debt

Question topic: Free enterprise and the right to private property turn mankind's natural self interest into the fairest and most productive economic system there is, and are the key to national prosperity.

McDaniel: Strongly Agree.

Question topic: Briefly list political or legislative issues of most concern to you.

McDaniel: Ending deficit spending. It is immoral to saddle our children and grandchildren with this much debt.

Source: Faith2Action iVoterGuide on 2014 Mississippi Senate race Jul 2, 2014

David Baria: Stimulus spending ok, but hesitant about 2009 Obama plan

Q: Support federal spending as a means of promoting economic growth?

David Baria (D): Yes. But some hesitancy on size of 2009 Obama stimulus to counter recession.

Roger Wicker (R): Generally not, for instance opposed Obama stimulus.

Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Mississippi Senate race Oct 9, 2018

Jim Hood: State economy is not moving; we've got to drain the swamp

Hobnob, the annual business and political get-together in Jackson, saw the most fiery speech come from a candidate for Mississippi governor. Democrat Jim Hood, the current attorney general, said despite the rosy picture the state's Republican leadership paints, Mississippi's economy, its number of jobs and employment rate, and its salaries, lag behind neighboring states and the rest of the nation. "Our economy is not moving," he said.

The candidate told the crowd of about 1,000 business leaders: "The problem is, nobody's got the guts to step out and lead," Hood said. "The fact is, we've got to drain the swamp in our Legislature."

Both Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves and Gov. Phil Bryant cited indicators of an improved economy and outlook in Mississippi, including the lowest unemployment rates in state history, creation of thousands of new jobs and the highest high school graduation rates in state history.

Source: Mississippi Clarion Ledger on 2019 Mississippi governor race Nov 1, 2018

Mike Espy: Congress must help local governments with revenue shortfalls

As we begin to return to normality, our local governments will face revenue shortfalls. Congress must compensate our local governments for these costs and do more to ease the financial strain our municipalities are under. During a time when we need local governments the most, our federal representatives should be doing all they can to provide our local leaders with the resources they need to support our communities--not playing partisan political games.
Source: 2020 Mississippi Senate campaign website EspyForSenate.com Jun 25, 2020

Mike Espy: Support small business especially minority/LGBTQ/women owned

Starting and running a small business takes incredible perseverance, hard work, and a love for our community. Mississippi's small businesses are a huge part of our state's economy, making up almost 50% of our state's private-sector workforce. Our leaders need to do more to support our small businesses, especially our minority, LGBTQ+, and women-owned businesses, by providing them the tools they need to grow.
Source: 2020 Mississippi Senate campaign website EspyForSenate.com Jun 25, 2020

Phil Bryant: Implement a state lottery; Arkansas got $80M last year

I believe it's time to look at ways to grow revenue, without raising taxes. I am open to a general discussion regarding the implementation of a state lottery. As you know, voters cleared the legal pathway for a lottery in 1992 when they chose to remove the constitutional prohibition and allow the Legislature to provide authorization and control.

Arkansas--the state closest to us in population and demographics--received $80 million from its lottery last fiscal year. That kind of data demands attention. When we see traffic crowded on the Mississippi River bridge taking revenue to our neighboring state, it may be time to face a new reality. We can no longer contain the people's desire for a lottery, we can only force them to travel.

Source: 2017 State of the State address to Mississippi Legislature Jan 17, 2017

Roger Wicker: Opposed Obama 2009 stimulus plan & most stimulus plans

Q: Support federal spending as a means of promoting economic growth?

David Baria (D): Yes. But some hesitancy on size of 2009 Obama stimulus to counter recession.

Roger Wicker (R): Generally not, for instance opposed Obama stimulus.

Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Mississippi Senate race Oct 9, 2018

Ronnie Musgrove: Attract new businesses; develop existing ones

Source: 2001 State of the State Address to Mississippi legislature Jan 4, 2001

Tate Reeves: As treasurer, decried state's reliance on borrowing money

Reeves became the state's youngest ever statewide elected official after defeating Gary Anderson, who had more than 15 years of state government experience as head of Department of Finance and Administration and deputy director of the Mississippi Development Authority, the state's economic development agency.

Reeves served two terms as treasurer and made a name for himself decrying the state's reliance on borrowing money. When running for lieutenant governor eight years later, he faced political veteran and Senate Pro Tempore Billy Hewes. Many again highlighted Reeves' youth and lack of legislative experience; Reeves remained self-confident.

"After 20 years in the Legislature and hundreds of votes for more spending and billions more in debt, it's heartwarming to know that Hewes has now finally realized with 50 days to go in this campaign that we need to reduce our debt burden," Reeves told the Associated Press during the 2011 primary campaign for lieutenant governor.

Source: MississippiToday.org on 2019 Mississippi Gubernatorial race Jul 15, 2019

Brandon Presley: I'm a very, very fiscally conservative person

His voting record is pretty conservative. He has voted against more rate increases than any other commissioner in the history of the Mississippi Public Service Commission, an elected body that regulates telecommunications, electric, gas, water and sewer utilities. As mayor, he gave the town its first property tax cut in the entire history of the city. "I'm a very, very fiscally conservative person. At the very same time I believe in delivering services," he said.
Source: Real Clear Politics on 2023 Mississippi Gubernatorial race Sep 4, 2018

Dan Eubanks: Rein in $34 trillion in national debt

We must reign in our national debt. With $34 trillion in debt and growing exponentially every year, along with almost $200 trillion in unfunded liabilities, we are headed for an economic collapse which will destroy our country. We must balance the budget.
Source: Candidate Connection on 2024 Mississippi Senate race Aug 8, 2024

Dan Eubanks: For responsible state spending and a balanced budget

A balanced budget and debt removal are more than just things households should strive for; but all levels of government. All of us should make fiscal responsibility our mantra. Only then will we see on an individual, city, state and national level, that true economic peace and security that we all so fully desire. Dan Eubanks pledges to always work towards responsible state spending and a balanced budget, without raising taxes.
Source: 2024 Senate campaign website Eubanks4Mississippi.com Aug 27, 2024

  • The above quotations are from State of Mississippi Politicians: Archives.
  • Click here for definitions & background information on Budget & Economy.
  • Click here for other issues (main summary page).
2024 Presidential contenders on Budget & Economy:
  Candidates for President & Vice-President:
V.P.Kamala Harris (D-CA)
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.(I-CA)
Chase Oliver(L-GA)
Dr.Jill Stein(D-MA)
Former Pres.Donald Trump(R-FL)
Sen.J.D.Vance(R-OH)
Gov.Tim Walz(D-MN)
Dr.Cornel West(I-NJ)

2024 presidential primary contenders:
Pres.Joe_Biden(D-DE)
N.D.Gov.Doug Burgum(R)
N.J.Gov.Chris_Christie(R)
Fla.Gov.Ron_DeSantis(R)
S.C.Gov.Nikki_Haley(R)
Ark.Gov.Asa_Hutchinson(R)
Former V.P.Mike Pence(R-IN)
U.S.Rep.Dean_Phillips(D-MN)
Vivek_Ramaswamy(R-OH)
S.C.Sen.Tim_Scott(R)
Please consider a donation to OnTheIssues.org!
Click for details -- or send donations to:
1770 Mass Ave. #630, Cambridge MA 02140
E-mail: submit@OnTheIssues.org
(We rely on your support!)

Page last updated: Feb 07, 2026