Connect with us

The Center Square

Bill that would renew tourism incentive program awaits governor’s signature | Mississippi

Published

on

www.thecentersquare.com – By Steve Wilson | The Center Square – 2023-04-12 08:42:00

(The Center Square) — Mississippi’s tourism project incentive program will likely continue if Gov. Tate Reeves signs a bill that extends the program until 2027.

Senate Bill 2695 would reauthorize the program, which would’ve ended on July 1 without legislative action. The bill would add some transparency to the program, as

The bill is due from the governor on April 21 and he can either sign it into law or allow it to become law without his signature.

The bill is sponsored by state Sen. Lydia Graves Chassaniol, R-Winona.

The Tourism Project Sales Tax Incentive Fund is administered by the Mississippi Development Authority and redirects sales taxes paid at a tourism project back to the developer to cover a percentage of the construction costs. The developer can receive 80% of the eligible sales tax paid by the property for 15 years or until those collections add up to 30% of the project’s construction costs.

According to the latest report from the MDA, officials have approved $454 million in incentives since 2013, but have only issued $32 million in payments.

Among the projects that have received the incentive include:

  • DeSoto MidSouth Tourism Project, an outlet mall in Southaven, has received $26.6 million of the $28.7 million it was authorized.
  • The Island View Beach Tower Hotel in Gulfport has received nearly $1.5 million out of the $25.5 million in incentives.
  • The Iron Horse Grill & Museum has received nearly $1.4 million of the $1.93 million the state authorized in incentives.

The biggest amount, $210 million, is earmarked for a new development on the site of the old Broadwater Resort in Biloxi; there’s been no construction since the 2020 announcement.

The most recent analysis of the program by the state Institutes of Higher Learning in 2019 said “the Mississippi Tourism Incentive Program generates a substantial negative return on the state’s investment.”

The report also said that “the sheer size of this potential general fund burden deserves some attention.” When the report was written, the amount of total incentives that could’ve been paid by taxpayers was $394 million.

The MDA is required by law to perform a cost-benefit analysis by one of the state’s public universities, the IHL’s University Research Center, or some other entity approved by the agency.

Source link

News from the South - North Carolina News Feed

Jackson joins lawsuit against Trump tied to 14th Amendment | North Carolina

Published

on

www.thecentersquare.com – By Alan Wooten | The Center Square – 2025-01-21 14:42:00

SUMMARY: North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson has joined a lawsuit against President Trump’s executive order regarding birthright citizenship, calling it a violation of the 14th Amendment. He argues that the Constitution’s language is clear and not open to reinterpretation, and the order undermines rights for children born in the U.S. Other Democratic attorneys general from Wisconsin, Michigan, and Nevada are also involved in the lawsuit, despite their states voting Republican in the last presidential election. The case, filed in the U.S. District Court for Massachusetts, includes eighteen states as plaintiffs against Trump and various agency leaders.

Read the full article

The post Jackson joins lawsuit against Trump tied to 14th Amendment | North Carolina appeared first on www.thecentersquare.com

Continue Reading

News from the South - Texas News Feed

Trump declares invasion at southwest border, suspends entry | National

Published

on

www.thecentersquare.com – By Bethany Blankley | The Center Square contributor – 2025-01-21 14:23:00

SUMMARY: President Donald Trump has officially declared an “invasion” at the U.S. southern border, issuing a proclamation to suspend entry and repel this invasion. This historic move follows similar declarations by 55 Texas counties and a formal opinion from Arizona’s former attorney general validating states’ rights to self-defense under the Constitution. Trump asserts that the federal government has failed to uphold its constitutional obligation to protect states from invasion. His proclamation, effective January 20, allows for the suspension of entry for individuals deemed part of this invasion, emphasizing the need for health and background checks and authorizing federal action to remove these individuals.

Read the full article

The post Trump declares invasion at southwest border, suspends entry | National appeared first on www.thecentersquare.com

Continue Reading

News from the South - Louisiana News Feed

Antisemitism on college campuses targeted by new legislation | National

Published

on

www.thecentersquare.com – By Thérèse Boudreaux | The Center Square – 2025-01-21 14:11:00

SUMMARY: A bipartisan bill, the Protecting Students on Campus Act, has been reintroduced by Senators Bill Cassidy and John Fetterman to protect Jewish students from harassment on college campuses. It would require universities to communicate civil rights complaint procedures, report the number of complaints received, and disclose actions taken. The bill comes in response to rising antisemitism, with reports showing 25% of Jewish students feeling unsafe on campus in 2023. Endorsed by the AJC and ADL, the bill seeks to improve transparency, hold universities accountable, and provide a safer learning environment for students, especially following the October 7 Hamas attack.

Read the full article

The post Antisemitism on college campuses targeted by new legislation | National appeared first on www.thecentersquare.com

Continue Reading

Trending