JACKSON, MS (Mississippi News Now) -
With his signature, Governor Phil Bryant inked four pieces of legislation into law Monday, all of them part of his Mississippi Works Agenda.
"This was the most job friendly, business friendly legislative session in modern Mississippi history," said Bryant.
First to get the approval of the governor was the Health Care Industry Zone Act, aimed at expanding the state's healthcare economy and improving access to it. The new law creates health care zones throughout the state and provides tax incentives for health care businesses that create new, permanent jobs.
"I'm very proud of that innovative piece of legislation. I think it's going to create thousands of jobs in the healthcare industry," said Bryant.
With those anticipated jobs, comes a need for a skilled workforce, which Bryant says can be accomplished with a dual enrollment program which also got his signature. It allows high school dropouts and those on the verge to attend classes at junior and community colleges.
"They will remain in high school on a dual track but they will be out there learning," said Bryant.
"I think we're going to be very happy with the outcome of these," said interim director of the Mississippi Development Authority, Jim Barksdale.
Barksdale says the new laws will position Mississippi's business and work environment as a tool in attracting development.
"Anything you do that makes it easier to do business, less expensive to do business and have better workers for these business to employ is a good thing and these bills are designed to do that," said Barksdale.
In making business less expensive, Governor Bryant signed the Inventory Tax Relief Bill which allows businesses to claim tax credits on inventory. Barksdale says the current tax becomes a negative when companies are looking to locate.
"We have worked on eliminating the inventory tax for so many years. This tax credit is a very good beginning," said Bryant.
Workers compensation is also getting reform with the governor's signature, touted as restoring balance in the existing program. With all four bills, Bryant says Mississippi means business.
The governor also recently signed the Small Business Regulatory Flexibility Act which basically sets up a review of the state's current business regulations. He says that'll play a role in changing the state's business environment in conjunction with these four bills.
All of them are set to take effect on July 1.
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