ICYMI: On SiriusXM, Mississippi Democratic Party Chair Slammed Tate Reeves For His Failed Term As Governor

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE               Contact: Press@Mississippidemocrats.org

October 31, 2023                 

ICYMI: On SiriusXM, Mississippi Democratic Party Chair Slammed Tate Reeves For His Failed Term As Governor

Jackson, MS – Last week, Mississippi Democratic Party Chair Cheikh Taylor slammed Tate Reeves for his stance on Mississippi’s minimum wage and his refusal to expand Medicaid. Chair Taylor said that “we should vote [Reeves] out immediately” because his policies have contributed to the deaths of Mississippians. Tate Reeves’ refusal to expand Medicaid has left nearly half (34) of the state’s 74 hospitals to be at risk of closing with 25 of those being at risk of immediate closure. In contrast on day one, Brandon Presley will expand Medicaid and provide healthcare for more than 220,000 working Mississippians. 

You can click here to listen to Chair Taylor’s full interview. Below are excerpts from Chair Taylor’s interview:

• “Medicaid expansion is probably the number one issue, the most resounding issue that we're facing. You know, for folks out there listening nationally, Mississippi has a hospital crisis where in our rural areas. And keep in mind that most of Mississippi is rural. But within two years, most of our rural hospitals are slated to close about half of them actually. We are dealing with infant mortality rates, maternal mortality rates that are disproportionately affecting black folks here in Mississippi, the numbers are ridiculous.”

• “Our current governor has actually gone on record saying that Mississippians need to get used to the idea of not having a viable Hospital in all of their communities. I don't I don't know about you, but that sounds so egregious to me that we should vote him out immediately. And that's why we're not just looking at Brandon Presley as an option. We know that he is the right candidate because he stands morally on the right side of what we need to be doing here in the south.”

• “[Minimum wage] is $7.25 in the state. Mississippi, Mississippi leadership, this trifecta with our republican governor, Republican lieutenant governor, and our Republican Speaker of the House, is saying that that makes you lower middle class. It actually puts you in a tax bracket that you actually probably pay more taxes than your boss. So, you know, not only people are overworked, underpaid, but at $7.25, you are denied basic services, you can't go home and take care of your children, you're probably working two jobs to do this and you wonder why our communities are actually being are actually imploding every day. So we have to be aggressive and making sure that we're paying some of the hardest working folks in America a livable wage, where they can actually successfully care for their children and families.”

• “If you don't understand that this one vote is so important for yourself, do it for your mother, or for your children. Do it for your father, do it for those who in your family who may be suffering from diabetes, high blood pressure, or a mother that may actually be pregnant or expecting because right now in the state of Mississippi [...] as far as a mother having a baby here, that means that you're at a higher risk than any other state in the union.”

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About Mississippi Democratic Party:

The Mississippi Democratic Party is dedicated to advancing progressive values, fostering inclusive policies, and promoting equal representation for all Mississippians. As the state's leading Democratic organization, we work tirelessly to build a strong and diverse coalition, advocate for meaningful change, and support Democratic candidates who champion social justice, economic fairness, and access to quality healthcare and education. Together, we strive to create a brighter future for Mississippi by ensuring that every voice is heard and every vote counts.