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Mississippi tax cut proposal dies without a Senate vote

Mississippi Senate Finance Committee Chairman Josh Harkins, left, a Republican from Flowood, reviews a number of proposed bills with Senate Accountability Efficiency and Transparency Committee Chairman John Polk, R-Hattiesburg, earlier this session, March 2, 2021, at the Capitol in Jackson, Miss. Harkins says he wants to see a thorough evaluation of a House bill that would make significant changes in the state tax structure. The bill is facing a deadline for Senate action on Tuesday, March 16, 2021. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

JACKSON, Miss. — A bill to make big changes to Mississippi’s tax structure is dying in the state Senate.

The bill passed the House last month. But Senate Finance Committee Chairman Josh Harkins said he would not bring it up for a Senate vote before a Tuesday deadline.


The bill proposed phasing out the state income tax and cutting the grocery tax in half. It also proposed increasing the sales tax and several other taxes.

Republican Gov. Tate Reeves wants to phase out the income tax. Harkins says legislators could hold hearings this summer to examine the impact of increasing some taxes and decreasing others.