>>> HELLO AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

WELCOME TO ANOTHER EDITION OF "@ISSUE" WHERE WE DISCUSS AND DEBATE THE ISSUES FACING THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI AND HOW THESE ISSUES IMPACT YOU.

THIS WEEK REPUBLICAN GOVERNOR TATE REEVES DELIVERED HIS SECOND STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS TO A MODIFIED JOINT SESSION OF THE MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE.

UNLIKE CEREMONIES IN THE PAST, ONLY A FEW MEMBERS OF EACH CHAMBER WERE ALLOWED TO PARTICIPATE ON THE SOUTH STEPS OF THE CAPITOL IN JACKSON.

OTHERS TUNED IN VIA LIVE -- LIVE STREAM TO MAINTAIN SOCIAL DISTANCE AND LIMIT THE SPREAD OF THE CORONAVIRUS.

REEVES TOUCHED ON TOPICS SUCH AS WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND JOB CREATION AND CULTIVATING EMPATHY AND SPEEDING UP VACCINE DISTRIBUTION.

HE SAID HIS MAIN PRIORITY IS GETTING MISSISSIPPI THROUGH THE PANDEMIC AND BACK TO NORMAL.

>> I WANT YOU TO KNOW, I REJECT THE FALSE NARRATIVE THAT IS BEING PUSHED BY SOME THAT SAYS THIS IS OUR NEW NORMAL.

THAT EVEN AFTER VACCINATION, WE NEED TO JUST CONTINUE TO HIDEAWAY AND LIVE IN PERPETUAL ISOLATION.

THAT'S JUST WRONG.

THIS IS IT.

THIS IS OUR MOMENT.

WE CAN SEE THE LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL AND MISSISSIPPI IS SPRINTING TOWARD IT.

I PROMISE THAT WE WILL SMASH EVERY ROAD BLOCK.

WE WILL GET THIS DONE AS QUICKLY AS WE POSSIBLY CAN, AND ALLOW PEOPLE TO PROTECT THEMSELVES FROM THIS VIRUS.

IT IS MY MOST IMMEDIATE PRIORITY, AND I ASSURE YOU IT HAS MY FULL ATTENTION.

>> REEVES SAYS HE BELIEVES ELIMINATING THE STATE'S INCOME TAX COULD ATTRACT MORE BUSINESSES TO MISSISSIPPI.

>> I AM READY AND COMMITTED TO WORK WITH LEGISLATORS ON THIS.

I KNOW THAT THERE IS AN APPETITE FOR THIS TYPE OF BOLDNESS.

NOW, I ALSO KNOW THAT THERE ARE STILL MANY WHO SAY THAT WE CAN'T LOWER TAXES BECAUSE IT PUTS NEW GOVERNMENT SPENDING AT RISK.

I UNDERSTAND THAT IT IS OFTEN GOOD POLITICS TO ACT LIKE SOMETHING FROM THE GOVERNMENT IS A GIFT.

IN FACT, THE FAR LEFT HAS BEEN PLAYING THAT TUNE FOR GENERATIONS.

BUT WE HAVE TO BE CLEAR.

THE GOVERNMENT DOESN'T HAVE ANYTHING THAT IT DOES NOT FIRST TAKE FROM A TAXPAYER.

AND THE PEOPLE OF OUR STATE UNDERSTAND THIS.

WE HAVE TO RESPECT THE WORKERS OF MISSISSIPPI ENOUGH TO RECOGNIZE WHEN WE CAN SHOW RESTRAINT AND STOP TAKING FROM THEM.

ALLOW THEM TO SPEND THEIR MONEY THAT THEY MAKE, AND I BELIEVE IT WILL GROW OUR ECONOMY BEYOND BELIEF.

>> GOVERNOR REEVES' PROPOSAL IS GAINING SUPPORT AMONG SOME REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS, BUT SOME DEMOCRATS ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE IMPACT IT COULD HAVE ON LOW INCOME AND MINORITY FAMILIES.

>> IF YOU ASK ME IF I WERE IN FAVOR OF ELIMINATING IT, I WOULD TELL YOU YES.

BUT I WOULD ALSO TELL YOU JUST AS GOVERNOR REEVES DID THAT WE HAVE TO DO IT IN A REASONABLE MANNER AND OVER SEVERAL YEARS.

I THINK AS WE HAVE SAW THE DECREASES IN THE CORPORATE TAXES AND THINGS LIKE THAT OVER THE COURSE OF THE LAST EIGHT YEARS WE SAW A GROWTH IN THE STATE WITH INDUSTRY.

WE SAW IT IN OUR ECONOMY.

WHEN YOU FREE UP A DOLLAR FROM SOMEONE NOT HAVING TO PAY A TAX, WE ARE WATCHING THAT DOLLAR BE RESPENT IN THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI OVER AND OVER AGAIN.

I AM EXCITED THAT WE ARE LOOKING AT THAT.

BEING FROM THE BUSINESS SECTOR I BELIEVE WE WILL BE ABLE TO CREATE MORE GUYS -- MORE BUSINESSES AND GROW OUR NUMBERS.

WE HAVE NOT SEEN GROWTH IN THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI IN 10 OR 12 YEARS.

IT IS TIME THAT WE BEGIN TO GROW.

>> REMOVING THE INCOME TAX FOR THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, MISSISSIPPI IS ALREADY CASH STRAPPED.

AND WE HAVE LITERALLY CUT A LOT OF OUR STATE AGENCIES TO THE BONE WITH WHAT WE HAVE RIGHT NOW.

SO NOW WE ARE TALKING ABOUT MOVING HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS OR REALLY MILLIONS, HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS OUT OF OUR STATE COFFERS AND WHO WILL BEAR THE BRUNT OF THAT?

IT IS MINORITY COMMUNITIES, LOW INCOME COMMUNITIES AND IT IS OUR SENIORS.

THOSE ARE THE FOLKS THAT WILL BEAR THE BRUNT OF THAT.

WE HEAR ALL THE TIME IN THE LEGISLATURE WE CAN ONLY SPEND WHAT WE TAKE IN.

BUT YET YEAR AFTER YEAR AFTER YEAR THE LEGISLATURE CONTINUES TO GIVE MONEY AWAY TO FOLKS WHO DON'T NEED BREAKS.

RIGHT?

AND SO I WOULD LIKE TO SEE NOT TO PHASE THE INCOME TAX OUT, BUT INSTEAD THINGS LIKE PHASING OUT -- RESPONSIBLY PHASING OUT THE GROCERY TAX ORIE DEUCING -- OR REDUCING THE TAX ON GROCERIES WHICH IS A DIRECT TAX BREAK ON THE HARD-WORKING MISSISSIPPI ANS.

THE FOLKS THAT DEPEND ON STATE SERVICES AND NEED THE STATE SERVICES AS A STEPPING STOOL TO GET AHEAD, THOSE FOLKS ARE GOING TO STRUGGLE.

THOSE FOLKS IN OUR COMMUNITY ARE GOING TO STRUGGLE.

>> ON THE SUBJECT OF EDUCATION, GOVERNOR REEVES ONCE AGAIN EXPRESSED HIS SUPPORT FOR SCHOOL CHOICE.

HE DEFENDED HIS DECISION TO REOPEN SCHOOLS DURING THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC.

HE ACKNOWLEDGED THE HARD WORK OF TEACHERS ACROSS THE STATE.

HE TOLD THE JOINT LEGISLATIVE BODY HE WILL SUPPORT ANY BILL THEY COME UP WITH TO INCREASE TEACHER SALARIES.

>> WE NEED TO KEEP WORKING.

WE NEED TO KEEP FIGHTING FOR EVERY CHILD TO HAVE ACCESS TO THE EDUCATION THEY DESERVE.

WE NEED TO ENSURE THAT PARENTS HAVE THE CHOICE TO SAVE THEIR CHILD FROM A DISTRICT THAT LETS THEM DOWN.

AND WE NEED TO REWARD OUR TEACHERS FROM -- FOR THE EXCEPTIONAL WORK THEY DO.

I SUPPORT A TEACHER PAY RAISE.

I KNOW THE SENATE HAS ALREADY PASSED THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR'S PLAN, AND I KNOW THE SPEAKER AND THE HOUSE ARE ALWAYS SUPPORTIVE OF RAISES FOR OUR TEACHERS.

I WOULD BE EAGER TO SIGN ANYTHING RAISE THE LEGISLATURE CAN SEND ME.

OUR TEACHERS HAVE EARNED IT.

IT IS THE RIGHT WAY TO INVEST.

>> LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR HOSEMAN IS PLEASED TO HAVE REEVES' SUPPORT.

THE SENATE VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO PROVIDE A THOUSAND DOLLAR RAISE FOR TEACHERS AND TEACHERS ASSISTANTS.

THOSE THIS THEIR FIRST THREE YEARS IN THE CLASSROOM WOULD GET A SLIGHTLY LARGER BUMP UP, $1110.

THAT'S AN ATTEMPT TO GET THE STARTING TEACHER PAY UP TO $37,000 A YEAR.

THE BILL IS NOW IN THE HOUSE FOR FURTHER REVIEW.

>>> GOVERNOR REEVES' STATE OF THE STATE SPEECH RECEIVED A CUSTOM MARY -- CUSTOMARY DEMOCRATIC RESPONSE.

IT WAS PRESENTED BY DERRICK SIMMONS OF GREENVILLE.

HIS OUTLOOK ON THE STATE'S ECONOMY WAS DRASTICALLY DIFFERENT.

FIRST LET'S HEAR FROM GOVERNOR REEVES.

>> DESPITE THE ONCE IN A CENTURY PANDEMIC, MISSISSIPPI'S ECONOMY ACTUALLY GREW YEAR OVER YEAR.

THINK ABOUT THAT.

WE WERE THE THIRD BEST STATE IN THE COUNTRY FOR JOB RECOVERY.

THAT'S NOT JUST BECAUSE OF AN OPEN ECONOMY.

IT IS BECAUSE MISSISSIPPI ANS DON'T WANT WELFARE.

THEY WANT TO WORK.

THEY RECOGNIZE THE PRIDE AND THE DIGNITY THAT COMES WITH IT.

AND THEY HAVE BEEN EAGER TO RETURN WHENEVER GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY.

>> 10s OF THOUSANDS OF MISSISSIPPI ANS HAVE BEEN LAID OFF DURING THIS PANDEMIC.

THESE HISTORIC JOB LOSSES HAVE DRAINED OUR STATE'S UNEMPLOYMENT TRUST FUND AND HAVE LEFT FAMILIES STRUGGLING TO BUY GROCERIES OTHER BASIC NECESSITIES.

WE MUST PROVIDE SUPPORT TO INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE FOUND THEMSELVES OUT OF WORK THROUGH NO FAULT OF THEIR OWN.

WE MUST ALSO MAKE SURE THAT THE HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS APPROPRIATED FOR SMALL BUSINESS RELIEF FINDS ITS WAY TO MISSISSIPPI'S MAINSTREAMS.

IF WE ARE BEING HONEST, COVID SMALL BUSINESS DOLLARS HAVE MOVED TOO SLOWLY AND THE BACK TO BUSINESS GRANT PROGRAM HAS BEEN EMBARRASSINGLY INEFFICIENT.

>> BENEATH THE CAPITOL DOME LAWMAKERS ARE FACING A DEADLINE FOR COMMITTEES TO REPORT GENERAL BILLS AND CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS ORIGINATING IN EACH CHAMBER.

A BILL DRAWING CRITICISM FROM VOTING RIGHTS ADVOCACY GROUPS WOULD DIRECT ELECTION COMMISSIONERS TO REMOVE MISSISSIPPI ANS WHO HAVE NOT VOTED OVER A CERTAIN PERIOD OF TIME.

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR HOSEMAN SAYS HAVING VOTER RULES UP-TO-DATE ARE IMPORTANT.

HE EXPLAINS THE BILL.

>> IT'S NOT NECESSARILY TO REMOVE PEOPLE FROM THE ROLLS.

I WANT TO GET IT STRAIGHT.

IT SAYS IF YOU HAVEN'T VOTED IN TWO PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS WE SEND YOU A POSTCARD TO MAKE SURE YOU ARE STILL HERE.

IF YOU DON'T REPLY TO THE POSTCARD, THEN I THINK IT IS ANOTHER FOUR YEARS AND THEN THEY WILL TAKE YOU OFF THE ROLE.

IF ALL OF THAT OCCURS JUST ON A NORMAL COURSE OF EVENTS, IT IS ABOUT EIGHT OR 10 YEARS THAT YOU HAVE NOT SHOWED UP TO VOTE FOR ANYTHING, NOT A CITY COUNCILMEMBER, NOT A CONSTABLE OR A GOVERNOR OR A PRESIDENT.

NOW, WHY IS THAT IMPORTANT?

BECAUSE EVERY YEAR WE TRY TO GET A JURY POOL.

TO GET A JURY POOL WE HAVE TO SEND OUT ANNOUNCEMENTS LIKE IN HEINZ COUNTIES AND THESE OTHER COUNTIES THEY SEND OUT HUNDREDS OF ANNOUNCEMENTS TO JUST GET 50 PEOPLE TO SHOW UP.

WHY IS THAT?

A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE LEFT AND MOVED SOMEWHERE ELSE.

>> HOSEMAN SAYS AS HE SERVED AS SECRETARY OF STATE HIS OFFICE INVESTIGATED MORE THAN 20 COUNTIES IN MISSISSIPPI THAT HAD MORE VOTERS ON THE ROLLS THAN PEOPLE ALIVE.

ADAMS WITH THE NONPROFIT ADVOCACY GROUP MISSISSIPPI VOTE SAYS HE UNDERSTANDS THE CONCERNS OF THE VOTER ROLE ACCURACY.

BUT HE DOES NOT THINK SENATE BILL 2588 IS THE WAY TO ADDRESS THEM.

HE SAYS IF IT IS PASSED BY THE LEGISLATURE AND SIGNED INTO LAW IT COULD SUPPRESS SOME MISSISSIPPI ANS' VOTES.

>> THE PURPOSE IS SUPPOSED TO BE TO PURGE OF THE VOTER WRONGS DURING THIS BILL.

BUT IT IS DISGUISED AS A MEANS OF DROPPING PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN -- WHO HAVE MOVED OR DIED.

BUT WE ALREADY HAVE LAWS FOR THAT, RIGHT?

SIMILAR LANGUAGE WE HAVE SEEN IN OTHER STATES.

AND BECAUSE OF THAT LANGUAGE IN OTHER STATES IT IS REMOVED AND TARGETED.

LOW INCOME FAMILIES, MINORITY COMMUNITIES AND YOUNG PEOPLE.

WE OPPOSE THIS BILL AND IT WILL NOT HAVE THE IMPLICATIONS THAT SOME FOLKS SUGGEST.

IT WOULD BE EXTREMELY HARMFUL, ESPECIALLY TO THE VULNERABLE POPULATION.

>> THE AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION SAID IN A STATEMENT THE RIGHT TO VOTE SHOULDN'T BE A USE IT OR LOSE IT POLICY.

ADVOCATES FOR THE MEASURE SAY IT WILL HELP KEEP THE VOTING ROLES IN MISSISSIPPI CURRENT AND RESIDENTS CAN ALWAYS REG -- REGISTER TO VOTE AGAIN.

>>> LEADERS OF THE CAPITOL ARE REPORTING FOUR POSITIVE CASES IN THE SENATE AND ONE IN THE HOUSE WITH A NUMBER OF LAWMAKERS QUARANTINED.

ACROSS THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH IS REPORTING 1,286 NEW CASES AND 38-RELATED DEATHS TODAY.

THAT BRINGS THE TOTAL IN MISSISSIPPI TO A LITTLE OVER 272,000 CASES AND ALMOST 6,000 DEATHS SINCE MARCH OF 2020.

>>> GOVERNOR TATE REEVES WANTS TO INCREASE CORONAVIRUS VACCINATIONS IN THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY.

RAMPING UP THE STATE'S CAPACITY FOR WEEKLY INAUGURATIONS -- INNOCULATIONS TO 100,000.

THEY HAVE COMPLETED 195,000 FIRST DAYSES AND SECOND DOSES.

NEXT WEEK THE ALLOCATION EXPECTED TO INCREASE TO 43,000.

THE VACCINATIONS IN MISSISSIPPI ARE CURRENTLY AVAILABLE FOR THOSE 65 AND OLDER.

HEALTH CARE WORKERS AND THOSE AT LEAST 16 AND HAVE HEALTH CONDITIONS THAT MIGHT MAKE THEM MORE VULNERABLE TO THE VIRUS.

SPHIE LET'S GET TO THE -- -- >>> LET'S GET TO THE NEWS FROM BOTH SIDES.

BRANDON JONES IS A MEMBER OF THE HOUSE AND AUSTIN BARBER IS A NATIONAL REPUBLICAN STRATEGIST AND A FOUNDER OF THE CLEAR WATER GROUP.

GOOD TO HAVE YOU BOTH BACK THIS WEEK.

AUSTIN, WELCOME BACK.

LET'S TALK FIRST, GENTLEMEN, ABOUT THE STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS.

AUSTIN, YOUR IMPRESSION OF THE SPEECH OVERALL?

>> I THOUGHT IT WAS A GOOD SPEECH.

THE MOST IMPORTANT THING FOR A GOVERNOR -- THIS IS A WEIRD AUDIENCE.

I MEAN, MY GOODNESS.

YOU HAD MAYBE 15% OF THE NORMAL CROWD THAT WOULD BE THERE.

IT WAS OUTSIDE AND OBVIOUSLY THEY ARE TRYING TO DO EVERYTHING THEY CAN TO PROTECT THE SPREAD OF COVID, BUT IT WAS A WEIRD SET UP AND I THOUGHT THE GOVERNOR DID A GOOD JOB.

HE DIDN'T GO ON TOO LONG WHICH IS ALWAYS IMPORTANT.

AND I THINK HE HIT THE POINTS THAT MATTER TO HIM AND TO HIS ADMINISTRATION AT THIS POINT IN TIME.

AND IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER, FIRST WAS VACCINATIONS.

LOOK, WE STARTED SLOW AND WE CAUGHT UP FAST.

WE WERE AT THE BOTTOM IN TERMS OF VACCINES AND THEN MOVED UP QUICKLY.

AND THEN EDUCATION AND JOBS.

THOSE ARE THE THINGS THAT MATTER TO HIM RIGHT NOW.

IT IS NOT JUST PAYING TEACHERS MORE, BUT MORE CHOICE.

THAT'S BEEN A BIG THING FOR CONSERVATIVES.

HOW DO WE IMPROVE OUR SCHOOLS AND JOB CREATION.

BIG THINGS.

>> YEAH.

I THINK AUSTIN IS RIGHT.

YOU GO SHORT WHEN YOU ARE IN THAT SITUATION AND HE DID.

THAT WAS SMART.

THIN ON POLICY.

HE DID SAY HE PRIORITY WAS THE VACCINATION ROLLOUT AND IT SHOULD BE.

IT SHOULD BE AT THE CENTER OF MINDS AT THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE AND THROUGHOUT THE LEGISLATURE AND THROUGHOUT OUR GOVERNMENT.

I APPLAUD HIM FOR THAT.

WHERE WE DIFFER IS IN THE VISION OF THE STATE AND HOW ECONOMICALLY HEALTHY WE ARE.

THIS IS A DIFFICULT TIME FOR PEOPLE AND THEIR HEALTH, BUT IT UH -- IT AFFECTED THE POCKET BOON -- BOOKS OF PEOPLE.

YOU WILL SEE THE MOST ROOM FOR DISAGREEMENT AND THAT'S WHERE THE DEMOCRATIC RESPONSE SHOWED DIFFERENCES.

IS THERE A REAL PARTISAN DIVIDE AT THE CAPITOL?

>> THERE IS ALWAYS A SENSE WHEN YOU ARE IN CONTROL OF GOVERNMENT TO PAINT IT AS ROSY AS YOU CAN.

SO I THINK THAT IS PROBABLY A TRUISM NO MATTER IF IT IS A REPUBLICAN OR A DEMOCRAT.

BUT I THINK WHEN WE TALK ABOUT -- YOU KNOW, YOU HEARD MISSISSIPPI ANS DON'T WANT WELFARE.

THEY WANT TO WORK.

BUT MISSISSIPPI ANS ARE RECEIVING SOME SORT OF FEDERAL WELFARE.

THAT IS HAPPENING.

WE AS A STATE, WE ARE A RELATIVELY POOR STATE.

WE HAVE A GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT THAT HAS GONE UP .4% WHILE THE REST IS GROWING AT .8%.

OUR BUSINESS IS NOT GROWING THE WAY IT SHOULD BE.

AND THE AVERAGE SALARY DOES NOT KEEP UP WITH THE REST OF THE COUNTRY.

NOW, THAT'S NOT REASON TO KICK OURSELVES WHILE WE'RE DOWN.

BUT I THINK WE HAVE TO BE HONEST ABOUT THAT.

I THINK IF YOU ARE TRYING TO PUSH TAX CUT AFTER TAX CUT AFTER TAX CUT INCLUDING CORPORATE TAX CUTS THAT HAVE NOT TAKEN FULL EFFECT YET, YOU WANT TO SAY WE ARE DOING GREAT AND WE ARE DOING VIBRANT.

THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER IS OUR STATISTICS ECONOMICALLY COMPARED TO OTHER STATES PAINT A PICTURE THAT MISSISSIPPI HAS CATCHING UP TO DO AND NOT CUTTING SUCH A BIG PIECE OF ITS ECONOMIC, YOU KNOW, NUT EACH YEAR.

>> WE ARE A POOR RURAL STATE.

IT IS HOBB YOUS.

I THINK THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS -- ONE OF THE BIG REASONS WHY TATE REEVES' EIGHT YEARS AS LIEUTENANT GOVERNER, AND NOW A YEAR AND A HALF OF GOVERNOR, IS REALIZING THE NEXT GENERATION OF KIDS AND THE GENERATION AFTER THAT AND GENERATION AFTER THAT -- IT IS NOT GOING TO CHANGE IN ONE GENERATION.

IT IS GOING TO TAKE SEVERAL.

WE HAVE GOT TO MAKE SURE THAT THESE KIDS ARE EDUCATED AT THE BEST POSSIBLE WAY THAT THEY POSSIBLY CAN BE.

LET'S GIVE THESE KIDS OPPORTUNITIES WHETHER THEY ARE IN THE MOST AFFLUENT NEIGHBORHOODS OR NOT.

WE NEED TO KEEP FIGHTING FOR EVERY CHILD TO HAVE ACCESS TO THE EDUCATION THAT THEY DESERVE.

WE NEED TO ENSURE THAT PARENTS HAVE A CHOICE TO SAVE THEIR CHILDREN FROM A DISTRICT THAT LETS THEM DOWN.

THAT'S WHY MYSELF AND LOTS OF OTHERS ARE STAUNCH ADVOCATES FOR CHOICE AND EDUCATION.

LET'S SUPPORT OUR TEACHERS AND SUPERINTENDENTS AND ADMINISTRATORS AS BEST AS WE CAN.

FOR THOSE WOULD ARE NOT ABLE TO GET IT DONE, LET'S HAVE OTHER OPTIONS FOR PARENTS AND CHILDREN NO MATTER WHAT ZIP CODE THEY LIVE IN.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT THE STATE INCOME TAX, THE POSSIBLE ELIMINATION OF THE STATE INCOME TAX.

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THAT?

>> I AM ALL FOR HAVING A DEBATE ON TAXES.

IT IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN OVERNIGHT.

YOU CANNOT EAT AN ELEPHANT BUT AT ONE BITE AT A TIME.

THE DOLLARS THAT COME IN FOR THE STATE INCOME TAXES IS $2 BILLION.

THAT'S A LOT OF MONEY.

WE HAVE A 6 MILLION GENERAL FUND.

LOVE THE DEBATE AND THAT'S SOMETHING WE NEED TO DO, BUT HAVE YOU TO BE SMART.

YOU HAVE TO BE SLOW AND METHODICAL.

LET'S DEBATE THIS AND FIGURE OUT WHAT IS THE RIGHT APPROACH.

ELIMINATING TAXES, BUT I'M ALL FOR IT AND LET'S FIND THE WAY.

>> YOU HAVE TO MAKE UP FOR IT SOMEHOW?

>> THEY HAVE BEEN TRYING TO EAT THE PERVERBIAL ELEPHANT FOR A LONGTIME AND IT IS HARD WORK.

THE MATH IS WHERE THIS WHOLE THING FALLS APART.

IF YOU ARE JUST SELLING FOLKS.

DO YOU WANT TO PAY LESS TAXES?

SURE YOU DO.

EVERY POLITICIAN IN AMERICA WILL HAVE A VERSION OF THAT.

THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER IS THAT MISSISSIPPI'S BUDGETARY LIES 40% ON THAT INDIVIDUAL INCOME TAX.

AS THE NUMBERS COME ON THE BOOKS, THE NUMBER WOULD BE EVEN GREATER IN THE FUTURE YEARS.

MISSISSIPPI RECEIVES PART OF THE OPERATING BUDGET FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

LET'S JUST THINK ABOUT THAT, GENTLEMEN.

IF YOU TAKE AWAY THE INDIVIDUAL INCOME TAX, WHERE IS THIS NEARLY 50% OF THE EXISTING BUDGET GOING TO COME FROM?

THE THING IS WE ARE MORE RELIANT ON THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

MISSISSIPPI WHO DOESN'T WANT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO TELL THEM HOW TO DO VOTING RIGHTS AND HOW TO DO MEDICAID EXPANSION AND ALL OF THESE OTHER THINGS WILL BE ALMOST SOLELY DEPENDENT ON THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

TAXPAYERS IN NEW YORK, CALIFORNIA, SENDING DOLLARS TO MISSISSIPPI TO PROP UP THE STATE.

>> WE DON'T WANT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO TELL US ABOUT THE VOTING RIGHTS BECAUSE WE ARE NOT THE SAME STATE WE WERE IN THE 60s, 70s AND 80s.

WHAT THE HOPE IS AND WHAT THE PROOF FROM THE OTHER PLACES IS THAT WHEN YOU CUT TAXES, PAY PEOPLE MORE MONEY AND MORE BUSINESSES.

LOOK AT MISSISSIPPI AND SAY THAT IS AN ATTRACTIVE PLACE.

LET'S MOVE OUR BUSINESS THERE.

THAT IS THE ALTERNATIVE AND ALWAYS THE PROOF IS IN THE PUDDING.

>> IT A GREAT ECONOMIC THEORY FROM THE ACTOR FROM CALIFORNIA WHO MADE A LOT OF MOVIES FROM MONKEY THAT'S WE HAVE NEVER SEEN OUT -- SEEN PLAY OUT IN GOVERNMENTS.

WE HEARD ABOUT TAX CUTS AND CREATING NEW ECONOMIC REALITIES FOR IMREERS -- FOR YEARS AND WE HAVE YET TO SEE IT.

IT NEARLY DROVE KANSAS INTO THE DITCH.

IT DID DRIVE LOUISIANA INTO THE DITCH.

BOBBIE GIN DEL IS NOT EVEN ABLE TO GO BACK TO LOUISIANA BECAUSE HE DID SUCH A BAD JOB ON THE ECONOMY.

I DON'T KNOW WHY TATE REEVES, AS SMART AS HE IS, WANTS TO GO DOWN THE SAME PATH?

>> IT IS NOT JUST TATE REEVES.

IT IS GOVERNORS RUNNING IN OTHER STATES ARE HAVING THE SAME CONVERSATIONS.

WE CAN SEE TAXES IN TENNESSEE AND FLORIDA AND THEY ARE DOING A LOT OF THINGS WELL AND WE LOOK ACROSS THE BORDER AND LOOK ACROSS THE REGION AND SAY HOW DO WE GET TO WHERE THEY ARE?

THIS IS WHY DEBATE IS A GOOD THING.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT VOTER ROLLS IN THIS LEGISLATION THAT WOULD ATTEMPT TO CLEAN UP THE VOTER ROLLS.

HOW CAN YOU ARGUE WITH THE IDEA OF HAVING VOTER ROLL THAT'S A ACCURATE AND HAVE ELIGIBLE VOTERS ON THE CURRENT VOTER ROLL?

>> THE TEXT OUR NEWS TEAM CAME UP WITH IS -- YOU KNOW WE HAVE TO KEEP THE ROLLS STRAIGHT.

HOSEMAN WAS THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR EIGHT YEARS LEADING UP TO A SHORT TIME AGO.

THERE ARE TOOLS IN THE TOOLBOX TO HELP THESE LOCAL ELECTION OFFICIALS CLEAN UP THE VOTING RULES.

THEY HAVE BEEN THERE FOREVER.

IF SOMEBODY IS DEAD THEY ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE ON THE VOTING ROLE NOW.

IF SOMEBODY IS AN INACTIVE OR INOPERABLE VOTER OR IF THEY MOVE OUT OF THE DISTRICT, IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE CAPTURED BY A DILIGENT, CIRCUIT COURT STAFF.

WHAT WE SEE WITH REPUBLICANS IS WHEN THEY LOSE ELECTIONS THEY TINKER WITH VOTING.

AFTER BARACK OBAMA WAS ELECTED PRESIDENT MISSISSIPPI GOT HOT AND HEAVY ON VOTER ID.

AND NOW JOE BIDEN IS ELECTED PRESIDENT SO LET'S FIGURE OUT HOW TO DO PURGING.

PURGING IS NOT A SMALL DEAL IN STATES ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

140,000 PEOPLE WERE PURGED FROM THE VOTING ROLES IN OHIO.

THAT COULD HAVE BEEN A DIFFERENCE IN THE MOST RECENT PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.

WE SAW IN GEORGIA WHERE THEIR GOVERNOR BACK WHEN HE WAS SECRETARY OF STATE PURGED UNTOLD, MAYBE EVEN HALF A MILLION FOLKS FROM THE VOTING ROLE.

WHICH COULD HAVE MEANT THE DIFFERENCE IN HIS ELECTION TO GOVERNOR.

I THINK WE ARE ASKING OURSELVES HOW DO WE SOLVE A PROBLEM THAT HAS NOT BEEN PRESENTED AS A PROBLEM?

H -- HOSEMAN SAID WE DID INVESTIGATIONS IN COUNTIES AND THE NUMBERS DIDN'T MATCH UP.

HE WAS SECRETARY OF STATE THEN.

HE HAD TOOLS TO FIX THAT.

I THINK SAYING HOW CAN WE PURGE MORE PEOPLE, LIMIT THE PARTICIPATION OF PEOPLE WHO ARE TRYING TO VOTE IS NOT THE ANSWER.

I THINK IT IS A POLITICAL THING.

I THINK IT IS A REACTION TO AN ELECTION THAT WE JUST LOST AND THE BASE WANTS TO SEE SOMETHING IN THE SPACE.

>> I JUST DON'T SEE THIS AT ALL AS WE ARE TRYING TO -- I SAY WE, BUT THE REPUBLICANS WHO WERE BEHIND THIS BILL ARE TRYING TO LIMIT ANYBODY'S VOTER PARTICIPATION.

LISTEN, THERE ARE A LOT OF NUANCES WITH THIS BILL.

I DON'T THINK IT IS FAIR AND I CAN TRY TO ARGUE THIS, BUT I DON'T THINK IT IS A FAIR THING AND I WON'T TRY TO DO IT.

THERE ARE THINGS IN THIS BILL THAT I AM FOR.

THERE ARE OTHER FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS I AM FOR TOO.

I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO BE -- I HAVE THE RIGHT TO VOTE.

I SHOULD BE ABLE TO VOTE IN THE ELECTIONS I WANT TO.

AND I SHOULD ALSO BE ABLE TO VOTE IN THE ELECTIONS I DON'T WANT TO.

BUT THERE ARE REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS WHO AT DIFFERENT TIMES AND DIFFERENT YEARS, 2000 WITH AL GORE AND 2020 WITH DONALD TRUMP WHO ARE SAYING THERE ARE ISSUES WITH THE VOTE.

THERE ARE ISSUES WITH THE WAY -- PEOPLE WHO SHOULDN'T HAVE VOTED.

THAT HAPPENS IN EVERY STATE AND IN EVERY CITY, AND IN EVERY PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.

WHAT DOES THAT -- WHAT DOES THAT REQUIRE?

IT MEANS THAT WE ARE SUPPOSED TO BE ABLE, AS LEGISLATORS AND ELECTED OFFICIALS, WE ARE SUPPOSED TO BE ABLE TO GIVE AS MUCH SECURITY TO THE PUBLIC TO SAY THIS ELECTION WAS DONE RIGHT.

THESE ARE PEOPLE WHO WERE SUPPOSED TO HAVE VOTED.

IF WE ARE GOING TO MOVE INTO THIS SPACE WHERE THERE IS MASSIVE MAIL IN BALLOTING AND MAIL IN VOTING, IF THAT'S WHERE WE ARE GOING, WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT, YOU KNOW, DEAD PEOPLE WERE NOT VOTING.

WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT IF YOU LIVE AT THAT ADDRESS, THAT'S REALLY YOU.

HERE I AM ON THIS SIDE SAYING I HAVE THE RIGHT TO VOTE OR NOT VOTE.

I ALSO HAVE THE RIGHT, IF I'M GONNA TAKE THIS AND MAKE SURE THE ELECTION IS DONE RIGHT -- YOU KNOW, MAYBE IT MEANS I HAVE TO -- YOU KNOW, IT COMES FROM MY ELECTION COMMISSIONER AND DO SOMETHING IF IT IS AN E-MAIL OR PHONE CALL OR SOMETHING.

AND MAYBE I HAVE TO DO SOMETHING ONCE EVERY FOUR YEARS AND JUST SAY, HEY, I'M STILL HERE.

I JUST DIDN'T LIKE ANY OF YOU AND THAT'S WHY I DIDN'T VOTE.

I WANT TO BE ABLE TO VOTE, AND I WANT TO VOTE.

>> THESE VERSIONS ARE STILL DEVELOPING.

YOU SAID SOMETHING IMPORTANT.

WE DON'T WANT TO TAKE SOMEONE'S RIGHT TO VOTE AWAY SIMPLY BECAUSE THEY CHOOSE NOT TO PARTICIPATE IN A PARTICULAR ELECTION.

>> THE IDEA BEING THAT IF THEY DON'T VOTE FOR A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF TIME THEY WOULD BE PURGED FROM THE ROLES?

>> YES.

WE HAVE A FEDERAL LAW THAT SPEAKS TO THAT.

THE NATIONAL VOTERS RIGHT ACT SAYS YOU CAN'T TAKE THEIR RIGHT TO VOTE AWAY BECAUSE THEY HAVEN'T DONE IT.

WE WILL BE WATCHING IN THE SENATE BILL AND HOUSE BILL TO MAKE SURE THEY DON'T PRODUCE A PRODUCT LIKE THAT.

IF THEY DO, THAT WOULD BE INVITING ANOTHER NEEDLESS LAWSUIT FOR THE CITY.

>> IF I AM THE GUY THAT SAYS DON'T JUST TAKE MY RIGHT AWAY BECAUSE I HAVEN'T FOUND SOMEBODY I WANTED TO VOTE FOR.

MAYBE I ALSO HAVE TO SAY, BUT YOU KNOW WHAT?

I BETTER LOOK FOR THAT POSTCARD THE ELECTION COMMISSIONER WILL SEND ME ONCE -- MAYBE NOT EVEN EVERY YEAR IN A FOUR-YEAR PERIOD.

I CAN CHECK THE BOX AND SAYING I LIVE AT 123 MAIN STREET AND I WILL FIND A PERSON TO VOTE FOR IN THE NEXT FOUR YEARS.

IT WILL LET THEM SAY I WANT TO KEEP THE RIGHT TO VOTE, BUT I KNOW THE ELECTION IS SECURE AND PEOPLE WHO ARE SUPPOSED TO VOTE ARE ACTUALLY VOTING.

>> WOULD WE BE HAVING THIS CONVERSATION IF JOE BIDEN HAD NOT WON THE ELECTION?

YOU WOULD SAY NO, BUT WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> I THINK SO.

SINCE I WAS A LITTLE BOY, WE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN TALKING ABOUT HOW DO WE PURGE VOTING ROLES IN A WAY THAT IS DONE CORRECTLY?

WE ARE REMOVING PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO VOTE BECAUSE THEY HAVE MOVED OR THEY DIDN'T LIVE ANYMORE.

IT IS A VERY SIMPLE THING.

I WANT EVERYBODY WHO WANTS TO BE ABLE TO VOTE TO BE ABLE TO VOTE.

BUT I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE DOING THIS THE RIGHT WAY.

>> IF IF YOUR POLITICS DEPEND ON EXCITING THE PEOPLE WHO ARE EXCITED BY PURGING VOTERS, I THINK YOU ARE GONNA BE IN A WEIRD SPOT.

THIS IS THE TYPE OF THING THAT EXCITES REPUBLICAN VOTERS, AND IT SHOULDN'T.

>> I DON'T THINK IT EXCITES REPUBLICAN VOTERS.

I THINK IT SHOULD GIVE BOTH REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRAT VOTERS THE UNDERSTANDING THAT THIS IS -- THESE ARE THE PEOPLE THAT ARE SUPPOSED TO BE ABLE TO VOTE.

>> WE WILL LET THAT BE THE LAST WORD.

THANK YOU, GENTLEMEN.

WE ARE OUT OF TIME.

DON'T FORGET.

YOU CAN WATCH THIS PROGRAM ONLINE OR LISTEN TO THE PODCAST AT -- AND YOU CAN FOLLOW THE NEWS ON TWITTER AND FACEBOOK.

HAVE A GOOD EVENING.