America’s national security has never been a given, which is why President Reagan consistently preached “peace through strength.” Often, that strength is thought of through the lens of military prowess – the bigger the fleet, the harder we are to defeat. While true, that doesn’t tell the entire story. Unable to compete with America’s powerful military, foreign adversaries have increasingly … Read More

In recent years, Mississippi has made tremendous strides in helping job creators invest and expand throughout our communities. The results are proof that what we’re doing is working. In fact, we were just ranked number two in the nation for real gross domestic product (GDP) growth by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Economic Analysis. What’s more: incomes have … Read More

April is Financial Wellness Month at the Mississippi Treasury – a time to highlight the small things families and individuals can do to achieve greater financial freedom in the years ahead. It is, of course, not lost on me that the last few years have been tough for many financially. Inflation, out-of-control government spending, and a lack of affordable housing … Read More

It’s a surreal experience to walk into the White House with a meeting on the books with our nation’s leaders. As I wandered through the historic arched doors this spring as part of a small group of state financial officers, I couldn’t help but be humbled by the fact that it wasn’t just me walking through those doors, but every … Read More

Mississippi is no stranger to storm damage. We have endured hurricanes, heat waves, and tornadoes. But the storms that tore through our state in recent days leveled communities and uprooted lives. My heart truly goes out to these families and their neighborhoods. Like many Mississippians, I was raised to “Help Thy Neighbor,” so just hours after the winds died down … Read More

Mississippi just received some outstanding news: While reading scores are falling across the country, Mississippi’s are improving dramatically – so much so that some have called it the “Mississippi Miracle.” In fact, students in our state are now scoring above the national average, and I couldn’t be prouder. In recent years, our teachers have put a bigger emphasis on phonics … Read More

Mississippians work hard for their retirements. We put in long weeks – and sometimes nights and weekends too. We treat that money with respect and think carefully about how to spend it wisely. Shouldn’t the financial industry that is often trusted to protect (and grow) those same dollars for our retirements do the same? Sadly, some Wall Street elites have … Read More

It’s that time of year again, when we begin gathering our W-2’s, 1099s, and any other tax documents to share with an accountant or our favorite tax preparation software. For some, it means a tax refund is coming soon; for others, it means it’s time to write a check to Uncle Sam. Did you know, however, that your books may … Read More

“The arts and humanities teach us who we are and what we can be.” – President Ronald Reagan Every year, our team asks Mississippi students to imagine what they could be and then articulate that vision in a piece of art – and every year, I am amazed by the ambition, the drive, and the hope. This year’s College and … Read More

The Golden Years. Retirement. The reward for a lifetime of hard work. It’s what so many Mississippians look forward to, what so many plan for, hope for, save for. But in recent years, Wall Street bankers have taken a little polish off those Golden Years, sacrificing investment returns in exchange for feel-good talking points. I have long sounded the alarm … Read More