Our state is in the middle of debating a budget. Or perhaps it is a budget crisis.
The problem is that Mississippi does not have enough money, plain and simple. In a history of bad leadership and general poverty, the state budget has been stretched to its limit.
However, the preliminary debates on how to fix the budget do not look promising. Reportedly, one of the early suggestions is to close down 25 state parks; in other words, every state park.
Another suggestion is to close down several mental health facilities, affecting 700 mental health patients. Also, the legislature has discussed cutting 3,000 state jobs
Finally, and more relating to most of us, they are proposing to raise tuition by 20 percent in the next year.
The reason for so many cuts is the continued stubbornness against raising taxes in Mississippi. So, instead, the state legislature is cutting sources of revenue and putting the burden on state employees.
It is ridiculous that Mississippi is in such a fix that the legislature is debating on making so many drastic cuts. However, if Mississippi is in such a crisis at this point, the burden needs to be shared by all.
Raising taxes is not so horrible a thing, especially if it includes raising cigarette taxes. This absolute refusal to raise taxes is ridiculous when people’s jobs are on the line, not to mention university students, mental health patients and the beautiful state parks of Mississippi.
The legislature shouldn’t take so many drastic measures. Hopefully, they will find a more balanced approach to solving the budget problem soon.
The Reflector editorial board is made up of opinion editor Angela Adair, news editor Elizabeth Crisp, assistant news editor Jed Pressgrove sports editor Jeff Edwards, entertainment editor Dustin Barnes, managing editor Pam McTeer and editor in chief Josh Foreman.