Tate Reeves in State of Mississippi Archives
On Education:
Job training lifts people out of poverty, into proud work
I also believe we need to sharpen one particular tool to get our economy rolling--our state's workforce development. We don't need Mississippians to be stuck in low-paying jobs. We want them to embark on careers with good pay and freedom.
The best way to accomplish that is to give them access to training that puts them in a position to succeed. It is essential. It is how we will succeed. It is how we will lift people out of poverty and into proud work.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address to Mississippi legislature
Jan 26, 2021
On Education:
Ensure parental choice to save children from bad districts
We need to keep fighting for every child to have access to the education that they deserve. We need to ensure that parents have
the choice to save their child from a district that lets them down. And we need to reward our teachers for the exceptional, life-changing work that they do.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address to Mississippi legislature
Jan 26, 2021
On Principles & Values:
We're all on the same team, made in the image of God
We'll always have spirited debate and disagreement. You can fight for what you believe in, while honoring the man or woman on the other side. Above all we have to understand that every Mississippian--every American--is on the same team.
We all want to be treated with grace. And we're all made in the image of a perfect God. So, my goal is to act like it.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address to Mississippi legislature
Jan 26, 2021
On Tax Reform:
We need a bold move: elimination of the income tax
I believe that in order to fully capture the potential of this historic moment, we must think big. We need a bold move. This is the time for an action that will turn heads all across the country and get money and people flowing in.
And I believe that move is the elimination of the income tax. It is a reward for our hard workers, and an incentive for others to invest here, to grow here, and to live here.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address to Mississippi legislature
Jan 26, 2021
On Abortion:
Abortion services elective and unnecessary during pandemic
Reeves promised to take action against his state's lone abortion clinic if it continues to provide abortions during the coronavirus pandemic. Reeves, who has worked for years to limit and end abortion in
Mississippi, said that he considers abortion elective and unnecessary. "We're doing everything in our power, and have for many years, to make Mississippi the safest place in America for unborn children," he said.
Source: USA Today on 2023 Mississippi gubernatorial race
Mar 25, 2020
On Abortion:
Our commitment to pro-life values must never waver
We have worked hard in Mississippi to make this the safest state in the country for our innocent unborn children. This is noble and it is essential.
Our commitment to our pro-life values must never waver.
Source: 2020 Mississippi State of the State address
Jan 27, 2020
On Education:
Let's pay our teachers as much as we can possibly afford
As we begin to allocate this new revenue, I can think of no one more deserving, and no task more essential, than increasing the pay of our teachers. I know that there is broad consensus and commitment to achieve this quickly and to increase pay
substantially. I want all of you to know that my priority is simple: let's pay our teachers as much as we can possibly afford. Send me a budget that does that, and I'll stand beside each of you to sign it with joy.
We will not win this great competition without a financial investment in the people who can make it happen. Last year, I outlined a plan to put $100 million into workforce development--training Mississippians so that we are ready to work.
Teaching skills to students from the earliest possible age. Apprenticeships, community college grants, and assistance for workers. We can make noise across the nation when they see our commitment to this cause.
Source: 2020 Mississippi State of the State address
Jan 27, 2020
On Government Reform:
Eliminate unfair licensing regulations
Often, the most impactful thing that we can do at this building is get out of the way and allow innovators to thrive. That is why one of my priorities will be cutting red tape and improving customer service across government.
We must make it easier for everyone to earn money in Mississippi. That means eliminating those unfair regulations that keep people from getting licenses to work. We must make it simpler for anyone to thrive in our state.
Source: 2020 Mississippi State of the State address
Jan 27, 2020
On Health Care:
Invest in health care without succumbing to big government
We need to incentivize quality health care. We must do all of this without falling into the trap that so many misguided politicians cannot avoid. This is not a call for inaction, but a call for caution. We can invest in health care.
We should invest in health care. We can protect rural hospitals. We can protect the people of Mississippi. I am eager to work with each of you to do so. We can and we should do all of this without succumbing to the siren song of big government.
Source: 2020 Mississippi State of the State address
Jan 27, 2020
On Technology:
Invest in critical infrastructure, including internet access
We must continue to invest in critical infrastructure. Mississippi's roads and bridges need our attention. From ports to potholes, we must continue to be intentional about improving our infrastructure. And we cannot forget the
next great generational infrastructure issue: internet access. We must continue to find innovative ways to allow all of Mississippi to connect. No one should be left behind.
Source: 2020 Mississippi State of the State address
Jan 27, 2020
On Budget & Economy:
As treasurer, decried state's reliance on borrowing money
Reeves became the state's youngest ever statewide elected official after defeating Gary Anderson, who had more than 15 years of state government experience as head of Department of Finance and Administration and deputy director of the Mississippi
Development Authority, the state's economic development agency.Reeves served two terms as treasurer and made a name for himself decrying the state's reliance on borrowing money. When running for lieutenant governor eight years later, he faced
political veteran and Senate Pro Tempore Billy Hewes. Many again highlighted Reeves' youth and lack of legislative experience; Reeves remained self-confident.
"After 20 years in the Legislature and hundreds of votes for more spending and billions more
in debt, it's heartwarming to know that Hewes has now finally realized with 50 days to go in this campaign that we need to reduce our debt burden," Reeves told the Associated Press during the 2011 primary campaign for lieutenant governor.
Source: MississippiToday.org on 2019 Mississippi Gubernatorial race
Jul 15, 2019
On Education:
$2 million for a private school vouchers
Reeves slipped $2 million for a private school voucher program in the eleventh hour of the 2019 legislative session, during his gubernatorial election year,
after giving public educators a nominal pay raise that prompted members of the largest association of public school teachers in the state to mull a strike.
Source: MississippiToday.org on 2019 Mississippi Gubernatorial race
Jul 15, 2019
On Families & Children:
No "Billy Graham rule": Treat female journalists the same
Just days after state Rep. Robert Foster said he wouldn't be alone with a woman not his wife, even in a professional context, a second Republican candidate for governor has said he, too, follows what's known as the "the Billy Graham rule."
Former state Supreme Court Chief Justice Bill Waller Jr. told Mississippi Today that he would not be alone with a woman who isn't his wife, even in a personal or professional context.
Mississippi Today asked the campaign of Republican Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves, who is also running for governor and considered the front-runner, whether he follows the Billy Graham rule.
His campaign replied: "Provided they are fair to our campaign, we treat all journalists the same."
Democrat Jim Hood said he does not practice the Billy Graham rule.
Source: MississippiToday.org on 2019 Mississippi Gubernatorial race
Jul 15, 2019
On Principles & Values:
AdWatch: defend "In God We Trust" on new car tag
Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves released a TV ad in June. In the ad, he promises to defend the new car tag, which features the state seal that reads "In God We Trust."He has since continued beating that drum, invoking the names of top Washington Democrats
and "out of state liberals," Antifa, Nike and Colin Kaepernick, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Bernie Sanders, former President Barack Obama and Eric Holder while boasting of his endorsement from the NRA and vowing to defend the state's new license tag.
Source: MississippiToday AdWatch:2018-19 Mississippi Governor race
Jul 15, 2019
On Principles & Values:
Mississippi is headed in the right direction
Reeves' chief objective in his 2019 campaign for governor is convincing Mississippians that he's done more good than bad for Mississippi, that the state after his eight years of leadership over the Senate is on the right track and he should be given at
least four more years to build upon his body of work as Mississippi's chief executive.His strategy [is] to avoid talking about serious problems that still exist in the state as doing so could jeopardize his "good body of work" argument. When he does
talk policy on the trail, he touts gains made during his eight years in office such as increasing test scores and employment rates rather than forward-looking solutions.
"I think it's a pretty difficult argument to make that Mississippi isn't in far
better shape today than we were eight years ago, and I think that's why you're seeing people in places like these rally behind our campaign," Reeves said. "The voters know things are better off, and they know we're headed in the right direction."
Source: MississippiToday.org on 2019 Mississippi Gubernatorial race
Jul 15, 2019
On Government Reform:
Emails with PERS revealed by public records request
AG Jim Hood's opinion [on PERS retirement rules] apparently created a buzz among the Republican legislative leadership based on the correspondence they had with the administrators of the retirement system. The correspondence of legislators has long
been exempt from the state's public records laws, but Mississippi Today was able to obtain that correspondence through a public records request to the Public Employees Retirement System.Emails and others correspondence reveal that numerous key
Republican legislators, including Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves, were receiving updates on how the PERS Board of Trustees might change its regulations to adhere to the AG's opinion. Hood said, "They should have to list those with whom they meet on legislation or
who wines & dines them."
When asked about Reeves' involvement, a spokesperson said, "The PERS board is working on regulations that adhere to federal law & maintain the health of the plan, and Lt. Gov. Reeves looks forward to seeing what they produce."
Source: Mississippi Today on 2019 Mississippi Gubernatorial race
Mar 14, 2019
On Technology:
Diverting $600M to Strategic Infrastructure Investment Fund
In order to create $600M over 5 years for the Strategic Infrastructure Investment Fund legislative leaders are contradicting their stated commitment to growing the state's reserve fund. "The goal is to reinstate the 2% set aside such that we only spend
98%," Lt. Gov. Reeves said in late November. "We also want to maintain and build our state's financial reserves." Reeves' new infrastructure proposal would accomplish the opposite. The new proposal would divert that entire 2% to the new fund.
Source: Mississippi Today on 2019 Mississippi Gubernatorial race
Jun 30, 2018
On Drugs:
Stronger measures against drugs at work
The legislature approved several measures to make Mississippi an even better place to do business. Government should create an environment to encourage the private sector to create more jobs. The state's workers' compensation law also was
reformed to ensure a fair and impartial relationship between the worker and employer with provisions to better define the employee's choice of physician, implement stronger measures against workplace drug and alcohol use, and increase certain benefits.
Source: TodayInMississippi.com on 2018 Mississippi Senate race
May 26, 2018
On Civil Rights:
Clerks have religious right to refuse gay marriage licenses
A federal judge ruled that clerks in Mississippi may not recuse themselves from issuing marriage licenses to gay couples based on religious beliefs. But Mississippi's Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves, quickly slammed the ruling in a statement. "If this opinion
by the federal court denies even one Mississippian of their fundamental right to practice their religion, then all Mississippians are denied their 1st Amendment rights," Reeves said.
Source: Reuters news service on 2018 Mississippi Senate race
May 3, 2018
On Principles & Values:
Aligns God with prayers for both state and nation
This #NationalDayofPrayer, let us remember the power of God's love as we pray for our state and nation.
I appreciate those who are gathered in faith on the steps of the state Capitol today.
Source: Twitter posting on 2018 Mississippi Senate race
May 3, 2018
On Education:
Public charter schools in failing districts
Provided funding for education and a teacher pay raise while enacting reforms to increase education attainment levels, including:- Creating an A-F rating system so all parents can understand school performance.
- Empowering parents to make
decisions for their kids' education, including public charter schools in failing districts.
- Enacting a 3rd grade reading gate to ensure that students who can't read aren't passed on.
- Creating a pre-kindergarten collaborative program.
Source: 2019 Mississippi Governor campaign website TateReeves.com
Mar 21, 2018
On Gun Control:
Pro-gun rights; lowered barriers to concealed carry
FIGHTING FOR SECOND AMENDMENT RIGHTS.- Lowered fees on concealed carry permits.
-
Recognized military service and training for concealed carry permits.
- Enacted a law providing support for more law enforcement officers in schools to protect our children.
Source: 2019 Mississippi Governor campaign website TateReeves.com
Mar 21, 2018
On Tax Reform:
Reduce taxes to help small business
Keeping taxes low:- Made the tax appeals process more affordable and accessible.
- Ended the state inventory tax that hurt small businesses.
- Reduced unemployment taxes on small businesses, so employers can afford to hire more workers.
- Helped make our state's unemployment the fifth lowest in the country, according to the 2014 State Business Tax Climate Index published by the Tax Foundation.
Source: 2019 Mississippi Governor campaign website TateReeves.com
Mar 21, 2018
On Energy & Oil:
Developing rural areas could provide viable energy resources
Q: Our readership is primarily rural. What opportunities do you see in the rural areas of Mississippi? A: Mississippi is a rural state, and our rural areas will always be important to our future. I see real opportunities for growth through
promoting tourist attractions, supporting our agriculture industry, developing energy resources and strengthening our workforce through partnerships with community colleges and universities.
Source: Today In Mississippi on 2019 Mississippi Gubernatorial race
Mar 11, 2018
On Families & Children:
Creating family-friendly environment was a platform priority
Elected in 2011 as Mississippi's lieutenant governor, Tate Reeves stands ready to help guide the state toward a brighter future through a focus on improving educational achievement for students, supporting the creation of high-skilled jobs and
responsibly managing the taxpayers' money. Reeves led the 52-member Senate in a successful 2012 legislative session with a focus on keeping government spending under control, reforming education and making Mississippi a better place to raise a family.
Source: Today In Mississippi on 2019 Mississippi Gubernatorial race
Mar 11, 2018
On Abortion:
Ban abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy
After a heated floor debate, the Senate passed a bill 35-14˙to ban abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy, bringing the state one step closer to enacting the most restrictive abortion ban in the country. Lt. Gov. Tate˙Reeves [supported the
bill, saying] "Mississippians are committed to protecting the lives of unborn children, and this law will be a major step in accomplishing that goal. I am committed to making Mississippi the safest place in America for an unborn child."
Source: Clarion Ledger on Mississippi voting record: HB 1510
Mar 6, 2018
On Homeland Security:
Honor Vietnam Veteran's service with 50th anniversary book
[Tate Reeves posted on the Tate Reeves Facebook Page]: Attention Mississippi Vietnam Veterans: As a thank you for your sacrifice, the state's Veterans Affairs Board is offering "A Time to Honor," a book commemorating your service in Vietnam.
Contact the state Veterans Affairs Board for a copy. It was an honor to announce this project recently in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of the war.
Source: Facebook posting on 2019 Mississippi Gubernatorial race
Sep 18, 2017
On Health Care:
Let's find solutions instead of over-institutionalizing
Mississippi is still in the beginning litigation stages of a related U.S. Department of Justice lawsuit. That action alleges that the state over-relies on institutionalization to provide mental-health care--not community-based services. "I think the
DOJ has sued us because we haven't done enough community-based care," Reeves told reporters. "We do too much institutionalization, so we've got to work together and find solutions for that."
Source: Jackson Free Press on 2019 Mississippi Gubernatorial race
Jul 27, 2017
On Welfare & Poverty:
Overhaul welfare program; eliminate fraud & abuse
HB 1090 restores the 1990s reforms. These are just 5 of the major reforms it accomplishes: Requires able-bodied adults to get off SNAP (food stamps) and get back to work. Removes millionaires and mansion owners from food stamps. Tracks out-of-state
spending to stop welfare fraud and abuse. Protects Medicaid and other welfare programs by giving state employees new tools to eliminate fraud. Saves taxpayers millions a year by removing fraudsters and identity thieves.
Only 54% of adult Mississippians are in the labor force. This bill will eliminate loopholes in current welfare policy that serve as a disincentive to work. That is not to say that the majority of welfare recipients are lazy, as some have characterized
it. It is simply to require those who are able to work to either get a job or be actively looking for one in order to receive benefits.
Special thanks to Lt. Governor Tate Reeves. He and others put in many hours of work to see this bill pass.
Source: MSPolicy.org on Mississippi voting record: HB 1090
Mar 30, 2017
On Crime:
Blue Lives Matter: public safety workers in protected class
Lt. Gov. Reeves is signaling he will endorse measures that he says will support law enforcement. Reeves indicated he plans to get behind a so-called Blue Lives Matter bill as well as legislation to prohibit so-called sanctuary cities. In May,
Louisiana enacted a law that gave public safety workers similar protected class designation as racial and religious minorities. The change means crimes against law enforcement officers and paramedics could count as hate crimes under state law.
Source: Mississippi Today on 2019 Mississippi Gubernatorial race
Jan 9, 2017
On Immigration:
Supports law enforcement inquiry into immigration status
In addition, Reeves said that he would support legislation to prohibit cities from passing local ordinances that prevent law enforcement officers from inquiring about the immigration status of individuals they encounter. "I believe no local governments
or state entities have the ability to break our laws creating jurisdictions of amnesty for illegal aliens," Reeves said. "No governmental entity, whether it's city hall or on university campuses, is above following federal immigration law."
Source: Mississippi Today on 2019 Mississippi Gubernatorial race
Jan 9, 2017
On Civil Rights:
Backs bill for marriage between one man and one woman
House Bill 1523 singles out 3 religious beliefs as worthy of protection: that marriage is between one man and one woman; that people should not have sex outside such marriages; and that a person's gender is set at birth. The law˙protects anyone who
speaks out against gay marriage or transgenders because of these˙beliefs. Gov. Bryant and Lt. Gov. Reeves,˙two of˙the bill's most prominent advocates, said the state should stand by its law and appeal the ruling to the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
Source: Mississippi Today on Mississippi voting record: HB 1523
Jun 30, 2016
On Corporations:
Government shouldn't pick winners and losers
"I believe government shouldn't be in the business of picking winners and losers." Reeves said. "I believe the tax code should be simple. My plan encourages capital investment and promotes long-term economic growth." The measure would
encourage more economic growth in local communities as individual taxpayers and local businesses see more money in their pockets, Reeves says, and eliminating the franchise tax would allow local banks to direct funds back into the community as loans.
Source: GulfLive.com on 2019 Mississippi Gubernatorial race
Feb 10, 2015
On Jobs:
Protect manufacturers from unfair union negotiating tactics
Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves said anti-union bills that cleared the Senate will uphold Mississippi's standing as a right-to-work state attractive to manufacturers seeking to avoid workforces represented through collective bargaining. "These bills
will protect Mississippi from a trend seen in other parts of the country where organized labor groups are using unfair negotiating tactics to bypass state laws and hurt job creation," he said.
Source: MS Business Journal on 2019 Mississippi Gubernatorial race
Feb 13, 2014
Page last updated: Oct 13, 2021