By Ayesha K. Mustafaa
Editor
As the 2014 Legislative Session entered its second day, the Mississippi Municipal League (MML) brought over 30 Mississippi mayors to Jackson, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2014, in their effots to pass the Citizens for Economic Development Act (CEDA).
According to Quincy Mukoro, MML director of public and governmental affairs, “More mayors from all across the state would have been here but their busy, often multiple, roles would not allow them to get away from their cities.”
CEDA would enable cities to impose a 1% sales tax increase for the funding of a capital project once it has been approved by at least 60 percent of the voters via a referendum. The project must be specified on the ballot, and the additional tax would end upon completion of the funding of that project.
Hattiesbrug Mayor Johnny Dupree attended and said, “This legislature has to approve for us the opportunity for any city to go to the citizens for a referendum vote, just like Jackson is doing now.
“As soon as the state legislature gives us the authority to go back to our electorate, we could have this referendum as early as the November 2014 elections.”
Dupree said the MML members will work diligently to get this pushed through the Mississippi State Senate and House. “We hope they look favorably upon letting the citizens have the opportunity to determine their own fate, which the 1% sales tax referendum does.”
MML President and Ellisville Mayor Tim Waldrup stated, “The cities and towns of Mississippi are facing critical infrastructure needs and need a way to generate revenue for these improvements. Ultimately, CEDA would allow a city to make improvements that could attract more economic development projects to our communities, which could help create much needed jobs for our state.”
Mayor Tommy Irwin of Corinth is the 2014 MML Legislative chairman. “No longer should state government stand in the way of citizens having the right to determine the future of their communities,” declared Irwin.
The Mississippi Municipal League also supports the city of Jackson in its January 14 election to implement a local option sales tax to help fund much-needed infrastructure improvements.
The city of Jackson was successful in getting legislation passed in 2009 that would allow them to hold the referendum asking citizens to approve up to a 1 cent sales tax increase.
