Miss. House OKs list of tax breaks for businesses

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — The Mississippi House on Tuesday approved tens of millions of dollars' worth of tax breaks for businesses, but it's unclear if the proposals will survive the Senate.

A top budget writer, House Appropriations Committee Chairman Herb Frierson, says the proposed tax breaks are a big problem. The Republican from Poplarville says the $5.5 billion state budget is already stretched thin.

But, Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jeff Smith says he's not trying to deplete the budget. The Columbus Republican says when businesses get incentives, they create jobs. He says that boosts the economy and creates more revenue.

An income tax credit for businesses to move jobs to Mississippi and exemptions on sales tax and property tax for companies installing broadband technology were among the items approved Tuesday by the House.