I believe every child deserves the best education that he or she can possibly achieve. In order for a successful future for all children and future Natchezians or Mississippians, there first and foremost needs to be a future for them. The future of our state and our town is at risk if Initiative 42 is passed.

The citizen’s initiative was, in fact, signed by the requisite number of Mississippians to place it on the ballot. I seriously doubt if 3 percent had the opportunity to read the initiative before signing the petition. I probably would have signed it as well if I thought it would benefit the children of our state. However, what has not been discussed is the actual plan if this is added into the Constitution of our State. First, there is no Mississippi Adequate Education Program (MAEP) reference to phase in the formula that is currently used regarding education mentioned at all in 42. There is also nothing in 42 regarding how the money will be dispersed. This initiative gives control to one judge in Hinds county over half of the State’s budget, determining where the additional $201 Million will come from. That’s where the future of Natchez and our great state is at risk. The $201 million will more than likely be taken from State funds, cutting agency budgets such as Public Universities, Community Colleges, Tourism, Performing Arts institutions, Economic Development and many more.

Tourism contributes $388 million to the General fund each year. The State Division of Tourism currently operates with a $3 million budget (less than half of our neighboring states). We have asked for an additional $5 million for advertising and marketing, and to reinstate a matching grant program to provide additional funds for those communities with small budgets to be given the opportunity to market their product. Of the $388 million provided to the state’s general fund each year from the tourism industry, we are requesting this increase as a return on our investment to the state. Our total request of $8 million is less than 3 percent of what tourism contributes to the general fund. If 42 passes, Mississippi’s tourism industry is at risk to not only receive the funding, but have the $3 million budget cut by as much as 7.8 percent, causing Mississippi to fall further in advertising and marketing, compared to our neighboring states.

The $2 occupancy fee that is added to each hotel room enables the Natchez CVB to have an additional $400,000 each year that markets our great city. Without people coming to visit, our local shop owners would not have enough business to stay open. The restaurants that are locally owned and enjoyed by everyone would struggle to keep their hours and pay employees. The American Queen that we meet and greet in the spring would not continue to bring hundreds that potentially would return and visit. Our hotels would also have less people, thus the 1,000 plus local residents of Natchez that work at a front desk, as a bellman, as a housekeeper, as a member of a grounds crew, would be at risk of not having a job.

Natchez, our home, is very dependent on tourism. Natchez, our home, is in dire need of additional industries coming here to provide jobs. If tourism budgets are cut, we don’t grow. If economic budgets are cut, we can’t bring potential business prospects here. Therefore, we don’t grow. Without a future for our town and our state, how can the children of our state have a future?

 

Lyn Fortenbery is the Assistant General Manager of Dunleith Historic Inn and a member of Mississippi Tourism Association Board of Directors.