The 2025 legislative session is underway, and state Capitol leaders are preparing to tackle major issues affecting Mississippians. From tax reforms to infrastructure improvements, the decisions made under the dome will have lasting impacts on communities across the state.
For mayors in southeast Mississippi, these discussions are more than abstract policy debates — they are critical to addressing their cities’ unique challenges and opportunities. Many are advocating for legislation that supports local development, enhances public safety and ensures financial stability for their residents.
Tax reform and revenue concerns
Tax reform is high on the mayors’ agenda, with discussions centering on income tax elimination and a potential reduction in the state’s 7% grocery tax. While these changes could provide relief for residents, city leaders are concerned about the impact on municipal budgets, which rely heavily on tax revenue.
Hattiesburg Mayor Toby Barker emphasized the importance of keeping cities financially whole.
“So much of a city’s revenue stream depends on the diversion that comes from that grocery tax,” Barker said. “If they move forward with cutting the grocery tax – which I think all of us agree that something should be done – how are they going to keep cities whole?”
Similarly, Petal Mayor Tony Ducker highlighted the need for continued internet sales tax revenue to fund infrastructure projects, noting that shifting consumer habits have made this funding stream increasingly critical.
Infrastructure and economic development
Infrastructure needs are another major focus. From improving water and sewer systems in Wiggins to addressing drainage issues in Moss Point, local leaders are calling for state support to maintain and upgrade aging infrastructure.
Moss Point Mayor Billy Knight Sr. sees infrastructure improvements as a gateway to economic revitalization.
“If you help me develop downtown Moss Point and the interstate, then we‘re going to draw those kinds of people here that would help the city overall,” he said. “We’ve got more tax base from businesses, but then you’ve got people living here that are buying homes. You’ve got the taxes that you’re getting from them because that’s going to grow.”
In Hattiesburg, Barker is advocating for legislation that would extend 16th Section land leases to encourage redevelopment along Broadway Drive and West Pine Street, areas that have struggled to attract investment due to short lease terms.
Public safety and workforce retention
Mayors across the region are grappling with the challenge of recruiting and retaining first responders. Barker highlighted Hattiesburg’s efforts to raise starting salaries for police officers and firefighters but acknowledged that competition with neighboring cities makes retention difficult.
“We’ve been able to raise our starting salary to $50,000 a year, and we were the first in South Mississippi to do that. That’s helped us bring in and try to fully staff our police department,” Baker said. “The challenge we have now is that all of our neighboring cities and counties are doing the same thing, and so we have to figure out — how are we going to get to the next level?”
Sumrall Mayor Joel Lofton and other local leaders have expressed support for legislation that provides supplemental pay for law enforcement, which could help smaller cities attract talent and maintain public safety.
Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS)
Changes to the Public Employees’ Retirement System of Mississippi (PERS) are also on the minds of many mayors. The state’s incremental increases in employer contribution rates have given cities some budget flexibility, but the system’s long-term viability remains a concern.
“Last year, the legislature took a big step for us and limiting the amount of increases that are planned on the employer contribution,” Barker said. “We‘re going to keep an eye on that, especially as PERS has recommended a fifth-tier retirement system that would hopefully shore up the system in the long term, or at least help a little bit.”
Medicaid expansion and health care access
Medicaid expansion is a recurring topic in the Legislature, and southeast Mississippi mayors are urging lawmakers to find a solution that provides coverage for low-income residents.
“That’s a very big issue for us when you’ve got 300,000, 400,000 people that are out there don’t have access to health care because there’s no there’s no pay source for them,” Barker said. “We‘d love to see the House and Senate come to some kind of agreement that could at least go to the federal government to see if they’ll approve – that would provide health coverage for low-income Mississippians, especially those who are working.”
As the legislative session progresses, mayors remain hopeful lawmakers will prioritize policies addressing their communities’ most pressing needs.
Click through the interactive map below to access full interviews with mayors from across southeast Mississippi.
Click a county on the map for more
Hancock County
RHCJC staffers have reached out to the mayors of Bay St. Louis, Diamondhead and Waveland for this story. Their perspectives will be added once they respond to our requests.
Perry County
RHCJC staffers have reached out to the mayors of Richton and New Augusta for this story. Their perspectives will be added once they respond to our requests.
