2015 MS Governor's race: on Corporations

Vicki Slater: The Great Recession bailout didn't help small businesses

A: I'm not against tax credits. I'm against the abuse of tax credits. I am also in favor of some tax credits for small businesses. When there was a bail-out after the Great Recession, small businesses weren't bailed out. Thousands of small businesses in Mississippi weathered through and made it without being bailed out like the big insurance companies, and the big banks, were bailed out. Some banks refused the bailout money, but a lot of banks took it. So I think there should be a program for small businesses on the tax credits, and I think tax credits should be wisely used. They should be revoked if there's any abuse of the money.

Q: What about the use of special sessions for large economic development projects?

A: It's certainly a tool that's at the governor's disposal, but I think a special session should be something that's rare because it's extra money for the taxpayers.