FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 23, 2008

GOVERNOR BARBOUR ANNOUNCES MEMBERS OF THE TAX STUDY COMMISSION

(JACKSON, Mississippi) - Governor Haley Barbour today named members of a public-private commission who will study Mississippi’s tax system on a comprehensive basis, including how federal and local tax structures affect Mississippi citizens and businesses.

“These individuals represent a wide range of expertise in this important subject matter; they come from business, legal, academic and legislative backgrounds. They also share a common bond in that they are all Mississippi taxpayers. I appreciate their voluntary service on this commission and know they will do an excellent and thorough job in carrying out this study,” Governor Barbour said.

Governor Barbour said the commission will provide a report of its findings by August 31, 2008 - after completion of Fiscal Year 2008 - to the Governor, the Mississippi Legislature and the public on recommendations for any adjustments. In addition, the staff of the Mississippi State Tax Commission will be asked to provide information requested by the commission, and the Legislature will be asked for a small, one-time appropriation to pay for support of the commission.

As announced earlier, Leland Speed, a Jackson businessman and former executive director of the Mississippi Development Authority, will chair the commission. Other members of the commission include:

Tony Adams
Ron Aldridge
Manley Barton
Mike Bemis
Joe Blount
Paul Breazeale
Tom Butchart
Alveno N. Castilla
Buck Clarke
Cobie Collins
Toni Cooley
Socrates Garrett
Karen Green
Craig Hitt
Delbert Hosemann
Terri Hudson
Paul Johnson
Dean Kirby
Bill Lampton
Gene McGee
Sonny Meredith
Jay Moon
Carl Nicholson
Aubrey Patterson
Tate Reeves
Tommy Robertson
Bill Rutledge
Robert Smith
Mike Summerford
Troy Stovall
Gray Swoope
Forest Thigpen
Anthony Topazi
David Waide
Percy Watson
Charlie Williams
Blake Wilson