FILE – The Mississippi Capitol in Jackson, Miss., on July 6, 2020. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis, File)
Mississippi lawmakers returned to the Capitol Wednesday to find a powerful message waiting for them: 101 business leaders across the state are urging immediate action to expand educational opportunities for all children. The call to action centers on school choice initiatives, a topic gaining momentum nationwide.
A Push for ‘Education Freedom’
The business leaders reminded lawmakers that Mississippi now finds itself surrounded by states that have embraced robust school choice programs.
The letter, spearheaded by former Republican governors Haley Barbour and Phil Bryant, and likely 2027 gubernatorial candidate Tommy Duff, declared, “This is Mississippi’s moment for school choice.” The group emphasized the unprecedented momentum behind empowering families with more options, stating, “There has never been more momentum for empowering families with options than there is right now. Now is the time.”
Signatories represent a broad spectrum of Mississippi’s business community, from the Gulf Coast to near the Tennessee border. Notable names include Hu Meena of C Spire and Chip Crane of FL Crane & Sons. These leaders are also significant contributors to Republican campaigns at all levels of Mississippi government.
What is school choice? School choice refers to a range of programs that give parents options beyond traditional public schools, including charter schools, private schools, and education savings accounts.
“As employers, we see firsthand the challenges that result when students graduate unprepared for the workforce,” the letter explained. “Too many young Mississippians lack the skills, discipline, and confidence needed to succeed in today’s economy. This is a disservice both to our students—who struggle to find and keep meaningful employment—and to our businesses, which need competent, reliable, and motivated workers to grow.”
Copies of the letter were sent to Governor Tate Reeves (R), Lt. Governor Delbert Hosemann (R), and Speaker Jason White (R). Reeves and White have publicly supported expanding education freedom, aligning with the stance of President Donald Trump (R) and the national Republican Party platform. Hosemann, however, has not fully endorsed universal school choice.
The business leaders highlighted Mississippi’s geographic position, noting that surrounding states are actively embracing school choice programs. “These states are becoming more competitive as families and employers alike seek communities where educational opportunity abounds. Mississippi cannot afford to fall behind,” they argued.
Drawing a parallel to the business world, the letter asserted that competition fosters innovation, lowers costs, and improves quality. “When parents have the freedom to choose the learning environment that best fits their child’s needs, all schools—public and private alike—are encouraged to improve,” the letter stated. “The goal of school choice is not to harm public schools, but to strengthen them by promoting excellence and accountability.”
