State of Mississippi Archives: on Welfare & Poverty
Chris McDaniel:
No welfare state: "I'm not going to do anything for you"
When an Ole Miss student challenged McDaniel's past description of Mississippi as a "welfare state," McDaniel stood by that characterization. Electing him would mean discarding Cochran, the presumptive next chairman of the Appropriations Committee in a
potentially Republican Senate, for an outsider vowing no special deliveries for his constituents."I'm not going to do anything for you," McDaniel said. "I'm going to get the government off your back, then I'm gonna let you do it for yourself."
About an hour later and less than a mile away, speaking in the same fluid, confident patter, he hedged that statement. McDaniel said he was not prepared to take a position on either the federal farm bill or the Cochran-backed effort to fight rate
hikes in flood insurance--two local issues for which assertive federal action is plainly popular. "You can't very well send 1,000 government promises to people and then pull the rug out from under them the next day," McDaniel said.
Source: Politico.com on 2014 Mississippi Senate race
Feb 19, 2014
Chris McDaniel:
Liberty, not 100 years of begging for federal scraps
Daniel was interviewed on the "Morning Joe" show from its live broadcast in Mississippi. Interview panelist Eddie Glaude, chairman of African-American studies at Princeton University, asked McDaniel how he would speak to Mississippi's 38% of
African-Americans and how he would convince them "you are not a danger to them."McDaniel responded: "I am going to ask them, after 100 years, after 100 years of relying on big government to save you, where are you today? After 100 years of begging
for federal government scraps, where are you today?"
After the audience booed the comments, McDaniel quickly said: "I mean the state of Mississippi. I'm talking about the state of Mississippi. To your question, I am candidate that wants to expand
your liberty and break out of old ways."
After the show, McDaniel said: " I easily clarified my position--that is, Mississippi being the dead last state of the Union in terms of wealth and economic prosperity, based on outdated economic models."
Source: Mississippi Clarion Ledger 2018 MS Senate Special Election
Sep 14, 2018
Jensen Bohren:
Paycheck to paycheck is an abominable way to exist
With attention to the general economic health of the nation, there should be no one living in poverty,
and few living slightly above it. Paycheck-to-paycheck is an awful way to live. We can aim higher.
Source: Facebook posting on 2018 Mississippi Senate race
Dec 31, 2017
Phil Bryant:
Focus on jobs for those who need public assistance
A Mississippian with a job is less likely to need public assistance, is more likely to contribute taxes to the state treasury, is a strong example of responsibility to his or her children and is more likely to vote, to participate in the community and to
avoid crime. Each day as Governor, I make it my job to ensure more Mississippians have a job of their own.Soon, with the assistance of the Mississippi Department of Employment Security, the State Workforce Investment Board, and the state longitudinal
data system, we will unveil a state-of-the-art system matching job seekers with employers. The system, along with its app, will be unlike any other in the nation. It will put job seekers and employers a click away from success. Finding a job or a
qualified employee in Mississippi will be easier and more effective than ever. The Mississippi Works web site will add this important feature very soon. I will just say, stand by to be amazed. And I assure you, this website works.
Source: 2014 State of the State Address to Mississippi legislature
Jan 22, 2014
Phil Bryant:
Create the Mississippi Faith-Based Advisory Council
Creating the Mississippi Faith-Based and Community Advisory Council will enlist, empower and expand the work of volunteer faith-based and community organizations. I believe it will strengthen families all across Mississippi, with no cost to the
taxpayers.Similar councils exist in a number of other states. I believe it will be a valuable tool to help serve our families and individuals in need.
Source: 2017 State of the State address to Mississippi Legislature
Jan 17, 2017
Tate Reeves:
Overhaul welfare program; eliminate fraud & abuse
HB 1090 restores the 1990s reforms. These are just 5 of the major reforms it accomplishes: Requires able-bodied adults to get off SNAP (food stamps) and get back to work. Removes millionaires and mansion owners from food stamps. Tracks out-of-state
spending to stop welfare fraud and abuse. Protects Medicaid and other welfare programs by giving state employees new tools to eliminate fraud. Saves taxpayers millions a year by removing fraudsters and identity thieves.
Only 54% of adult Mississippians are in the labor force. This bill will eliminate loopholes in current welfare policy that serve as a disincentive to work. That is not to say that the majority of welfare recipients are lazy, as some have characterized
it. It is simply to require those who are able to work to either get a job or be actively looking for one in order to receive benefits.
Special thanks to Lt. Governor Tate Reeves. He and others put in many hours of work to see this bill pass.
Source: MSPolicy.org on Mississippi voting record: HB 1090
Mar 30, 2017
Brandon Presley:
Declare war on corruption in welfare fraud scandal
Mississippi Welfare Fraud Scandal: Response to Mississippi's misuse of more than $77 million in federal welfare funds?-
Brandon Presley (D): Will "declare war on corruption." Ran a television ad linking Reeves to the scandal. Would create a "Task Force on Public Integrity" and strengthen the Mississippi Ethics Commission.
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Tate Reeves (R): Is seeking to recover the stolen funds. Fired the state's investigator into the case, a former
U.S. attorney, as too much "focused on the political side of things." As Lt. Governor, had authority over the state budget during the misuse.
Source: Guides.vote candidate survey: 2023 Mississippi Governor race
Aug 8, 2024
Tate Reeves:
Recover stolen funds in welfare fraud scandal
Mississippi Welfare Fraud Scandal: Response to Mississippi's misuse of more than $77 million in federal welfare funds?-
Brandon Presley (D): Will "declare war on corruption." Ran a television ad linking Reeves to the scandal. Would create a "Task Force on Public Integrity" and strengthen the Mississippi Ethics Commission.
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Tate Reeves (R): Is seeking to recover the stolen funds. Fired the state's investigator into the case, a former
U.S. attorney, as too much "focused on the political side of things." As Lt. Governor, had authority over the state budget during the misuse.
Source: Guides.vote candidate survey: 2023 Mississippi Governor race
Aug 8, 2024
Ty Pinkins:
Ensure affordable housing; invest in economic development
Ty Pinkins, who ran began a campaign for Senate in 2023 but bowed out to run an unsuccessful campaign for Mississippi Secretary of State, announced he was coming back to run for Senate in January.Pinkins said he us running on criminal justice reform,
access to affordable healthcare, education reform throughout Mississippi and the nation, ensuring affordable housing, voter suppression, investing in sustainable energy and economic development.
Source: Clarion-Ledger on 2024 Mississippi Senate race
Sep 17, 2024
Page last updated: Feb 07, 2026