Baby bust’s effect on public schools
Mississippi public school enrollment is set to steadily shrink. In 2007, Mississippi had 46,455 births, about 127 per day. In...
Change laws. Change lives.
Karrece spent her years as a young girl at the feet of her grandmothers watching them apply makeup. She followed...
Life changing reforms are winning the day
This week the Empower team was in Atlanta for State Policy Network’s Annual Meeting. SPN works alongside a national network of independent...
Empower reacts to charter board approving only one new charter
Today, the Mississippi Charter Authorizer Board approved one new charter application and denied four others, including denying a strong application...
Why has charter school progress been slow?
As we approach the 10-year anniversary of Mississippi approving charter schools, we remain excited for the kids who have been...
Lawsuit filed to stop student loan cancellation
A month after President Joe Biden announced plans to cancel a substantial portion of student loan debt, a lawsuit has...
Mississippi part of growing flat tax trend
Earlier this year, Mississippi lawmakers adopted legislation that will institute a 4 percent flat tax in the state. The Mississippi...
What charter school rankings really show
New school rankings show Leflore Legacy Academy Charter School in Greenwood, in only its second year of operation, was rated...
Mississippi’s regulations lead to fewer jobs, more poverty
New data shows that federal regulations have led to more people living in poverty, greater income inequality, fewer businesses, less...
Crime spike not due to prison reforms
Suggestions that the recent spike in homicides is due to recent statewide criminal justice reforms are not supported by evidence....
Are our schools doing better or worse?
We’ve seen conflicting reports on progress in Mississippi’s schools. This week, scores for all states on the National Assessment of...
Is America Exceptional?
Originally published in the Laurel-Leader Call on July 2, 2021 Tomorrow is Independence Day, America’s favorite day for backyard barbeques, baseball, and fireworks. But it’s also a day for patriotism and celebrating all that...
Is America Exceptional?
Originally published in the Laurel-Leader Call on July 2, 2021 Tomorrow is Independence Day, America’s favorite day for backyard barbeques, baseball, and fireworks. But it’s also a day for patriotism and celebrating all that...
Almost Surrounded
Last week, Louisiana passed a bill that will allow all students to qualify for an Education Savings Account (ESA). An ESA is a taxpayer-funded account that can be used for educational expenses as directed...
Almost Surrounded
Last week, Louisiana passed a bill that will allow all students to qualify for an Education Savings Account (ESA). An ESA is a taxpayer-funded account that can be used for educational expenses as directed...
Prosecutorial Overreach: Not Just a Trump Problem
Donald Trump is a convicted felon. Whether one likes that fact or not, the former president now joins millions of Americans and hundreds of thousands of Mississippians who are likewise convicted felons.  Trump’s...
New Law Expands Prison Work Release Programs
Legislation passed this year will expand opportunities for offenders to work while incarcerated.  During the 2024 legislative session, lawmakers passed several bills that will meaningfully impact the state’s prison system. Among them is Senate...
New Law Expands Prison Work Release Programs
Legislation passed this year will expand opportunities for offenders to work while incarcerated.  During the 2024 legislative session, lawmakers passed several bills that will meaningfully impact the state’s prison system. Among them is Senate...
Empower Mississippi Celebrates 10 Years
This week we officially kicked off our celebration of Empower’s tenth anniversary, and wow, what a ride this has been! I’m so honored to lead this organization and work alongside the amazing Empower...
The Founding of Empower Mississippi
This week we officially kicked off our celebration of Empower’s tenth anniversary, and wow, what a ride this has been! I’m so honored to lead this organization and work alongside the amazing Empower team,...
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