This year, President Trump and congressional Republicans delivered a historic tax cut that delivered tax refunds that were $350 higher than previous years, according to the latest IRS data. Now, I know that $350 won’t revolutionize a family’s budget, but I want to remind everyone that without this legislation, taxes would have actually increased by 22 percent this year. Take … Read More

We talk a lot about the American Dream. Owning a home. Sending your kids to college. Retiring with dignity. But here’s the truth: none of that happens by accident. It happens because people plan; they save; and they leverage luck. That’s why financial education matters – not as some abstract idea, but as a real, practical skill that shapes whether … Read More

It’s no secret that we are facing a challenging economic climate. Consumer spending has slowed, while prices seem to only increase. Recently, Mississippi’s credit rating changed from “negative” to “stable,” showing positive signs for our state, but I know it’s still tough around many kitchen tables. April is Financial Wellness Month, a time when the Mississippi Treasury spends a little … Read More

JACKSON, Miss. – Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves and Mississippi Treasurer David McRae today announced that S&P Global Credit Ratings has improved the state’s outlook from “negative” to “stable.” The announcement sends a strong signal that Mississippi’s fiscal foundation is strong and that the state is well positioned for continued long-term growth. “This is more great news for Mississippi and it proves our … Read More

The economic news as of late hasn’t been great. Credit card debt is at record levels. Gas prices remain high. Interest rates are at a standstill. In the middle of that uncertainty, though, Mississippi received some encouraging news. This month, S&P Global Credit Ratings upgraded Mississippi’s credit outlook from “negative” to “stable.” That is a meaningful achievement, especially in an … Read More

Even though our economy has stayed strong, Americans are feeling the weight of affordability.  Expenses like childcare have seen an increase, leaving many families devoting an entire paycheck to childcare services. Everyone wants lower costs. As your state financial officer, I belong to the State Financial Officers Foundation (SFOF) which includes 27 members from 23 different states. We work to … Read More

Nobody really likes tax season. Sure, it can be nice if you get a refund, but even getting to that point can be frustrating – collecting the W-2’s and 1099s from employers, tracking down paperwork from your bank, finding your passwords for your tax prep software. It isn’t easy. That said, many are hopeful that all the work will pay … Read More

Mississippi is no stranger to natural disasters. We prove resilient through hurricanes, heat waves, tornadoes, and most recently, ice storms. The latest round of winter weather downed trees, cut power, and closed schools. Linemen worked overtime to restore electricity; the Mississippi National Guard helped clear roads; the American Red Cross opened shelters and helped keep people warm. While the State … Read More

Every year, I get a front-row seat to something pretty special in Mississippi. It doesn’t happen in a boardroom or at the Capitol. It happens on kitchen tables, classroom desks, and living-room floors, where kids pick up crayons, markers, paint, and pencils and start imagining their future. The 2026 College and Career Savings Art Contest is back again with a … Read More

For generations, Americans have believed that access to the financial system is a basic part of participating in modern life. You work hard, you play by the rules, and you expect a bank to treat you fairly. Unfortunately, that promise has been quietly eroding, and Mississippians are right to be concerned. In recent years, Americans across the country have been … Read More