Nettleton –  In a new TV ad that starts airing today, Tate Reeves is desperately trying to rewrite his record on the economy. But no matter how many ribbon cuttings he may have to mask the truth, the facts are clear.

“Tate Reeves is desperately trying to rewrite his record on the economy to save himself in an election year, but no matter what he says, there are fewer Mississippians working today than when he became governor,” said Michael Beyer, Communications Director for Brandon Presley.

REEVES’ FALSEHOODS: In his latest TV ad, Reeves says, “More people are working in Mississippi than ever before,” and in a release touting the new ad, Reeves says, “Our economy is stronger than ever.”

Here are the facts:

• FACT: There Are Fewer Mississippians Working This Year Than Last Year. According to Mississippi Today, “Despite those low unemployment numbers, data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reveals that there were fewer Mississippians working in April of this year than in April 2022. In April 2023, 1.212 million were employed — 8,089 fewer than were working a year ago. April marks the seventh consecutive month where there were fewer Mississippians working than in the prior year, according to BLS data. There are 2,073 fewer jobs in April 2023 than in January 2020 when Reeves took office, though April 2023 numbers are still preliminary.” [Mississippi Today, 5/24/23]

• FACT: Mississippi’s Highest Levels Of Employment Occurred In 2000. According to Mississippi Today, “The state’s highest levels of employment occurred in May 2000, when there were 1.24 million employed. That number has never been surpassed.” [Mississippi Today, 5/24/23]

• FACT: Mississippi Has Lost Jobs Since Tate Reeves Became Governor In 2020. According to Mississippi Today, “Despite those low unemployment numbers, data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reveals that there were fewer Mississippians working in April of this year than in April 2022. In April 2023, 1.212 million were employed — 8,089 fewer than were working a year ago. April marks the seventh consecutive month where there were fewer Mississippians working than in the prior year, according to BLS data. There are 2,073 fewer jobs in April 2023 than in January 2020 when Reeves took office, though April 2023 numbers are still preliminary.” [Mississippi Today, 5/24/23]

• FACT: In 2022, Mississippi Ranked Last On CNBC’s Ranking Of America’s Top States For Business. According to CNBC, “To rank America’s Top States for Business in 2022, CNBC scored all 50 states on 88 metrics in 10 broad categories of competitiveness. Each category is weighted based on how frequently states use them as a selling point in economic development marketing materials. That way, our study ranks the states based on the attributes they use to sell themselves. We developed our criteria and metrics in consultation with a diverse array of business and policy experts, and the states. Our study is not an opinion survey. We use data from a variety of sources to measure the states’ performance. Under our methodology, states can earn a maximum of 2,500 points. The states with the most are America’s Top States for Business.” [CNBC, 7/13/22]

• FACT: From December 2021 To December 2022, Mississippi Added 500 Net Jobs, Meaning Its Job Growth For The Year Was Statistically Zero Percent. According to Mississippi Today, “But despite Reeves’ rosy portrait of the state’s economy, he omitted several key statistics about the state’s economy. Mississippi had the lowest per capita income for 2021 at $45,881, according to the St. Louis office of the Federal Reserve. The average of Mississippi’s four contiguous states, was $52,780.  And, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, for the third quarter of 2022, Mississippi’s personal income increased by 3.8%. Eight states saw their personal income increase less than Mississippi’s during the period.  And, based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data, Mississippi added only 500 net jobs between December 2021 and 2022, meaning its job growth for the year was essentially flat, or statistically 0%. All other states had jobs growth of  at least 1%, with some exceeding 6%.” [Mississippi Today, 1/30/23]

• FACT: Mississippi Ranked In The Top 10 U.S. States For Outbound Migration. [Tax Foundation, 1/10/23]

Brandon Presley is a fighter who keeps his promises, stands up for the little guy, and isn't afraid to ruffle more than a few feathers to deliver results for hardworking Mississippi families. Brandon served as Mayor of Nettleton from 2001 to 2007, where he got the town moving again, then balanced the budget every year and cut taxes twice. As Public Service Commissioner, Brandon opened up meetings that had been closed to the public for decades, brought high-speed internet to some of the most remote and forgotten parts of Mississippi, put people back to work with the Hire Mississippi program, and saved taxpayers over 6 billion dollars.

###