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Presented by Senator Roger Wicker
“I am encouraged by the tremendous growth our region is seeing,” Wicker wrote.
Every August, I have the opportunity to travel extensively throughout Mississippi to meet with constituents while Congress is out of session. Over the past month, I’ve met with dozens of small business owners, workers, parents, civic groups and local leaders, some of whom are managing new infrastructure projects. I am encouraged by the great progress being made in our region. However, Jackson’s water crisis and the slowdown in our economy have created significant challenges.
Jackson lost the water supply
Last week’s flooding and loss of water supply on the Pearl River affected more than 180,000 residents in the Jackson area. Early in the crisis, I met with Mayor Lumumba to visit the rising floodwaters and discuss emerging needs. Governor Reeves soon announced the failure of Jackson’s water system, and President Biden declared a federal emergency. It is very important to receive all resources while the authorities work to restore water supply in the capital.
As Mississippi’s senior United States Senator, I hope we can put together a long-term solution to these problems soon. As a direct result of the bipartisan infrastructure legislation I helped negotiate, Mississippi will be able to spend at least $429 million over the next five years to address water and wastewater issues. These funds are in addition to other funds previously appropriated for Mississippi but not yet used. It is also clear that we have to solve the problem of water related flooding. While the historic rains were falling, I hosted a group of federal officials in Jackson to discuss the Pearl River flood prevention plan developed by state and local leaders. I will continue to call on the Biden administration and the US Army Corps of Engineers to get this proposal approved and put into action.
New projects will move forward
Throughout my travels in August, I met with builders and manufacturers who are showing new growth in our state. I had the opportunity to meet with transportation officials coordinating the construction of new highways and bridges, as well as Mississippi shipbuilders and parts manufacturers providing world-class equipment to our Navy. I also visited chemical and asphalt plants, met with furniture manufacturers, and helped start construction on the federal courthouse in Greenville. Additionally, I celebrated the opening of the new Adranos Rocket Facility at McHenry, which will build advanced rockets that will help us beat China in the next space race. These and other examples of growth bring the promise of jobs and prosperity to Mississippi, and I will continue to support legislation in Congress.
Tax hikes are hitting entrepreneurs.
Despite these positive trends, Mississippians are growing at the pace of our economy. Almost 40 years of high inflation have continued. Employers still can’t find enough workers — a problem rooted in President Biden’s extended welfare benefits. Many are upset that the president has decided to pay off hundreds of billions of dollars in student debt out of taxes — a move that is unfair and will exacerbate inflation. On top of all this, the president’s new tax hikes are forcing many entrepreneurs to rethink their expansion plans, dimming hopes for a recovery. As Congress now returns to session, I will continue to bring these concerns to the table as we seek solutions to our nation’s challenges.
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Presented by Senator Roger Wicker
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