Mississippi Auditor Highlights State Budget Concerns, Cybersecurity Issues
The Mississippi Office of the State Auditor released its Year in Review, highlighting efforts to improve the use of education funds and increase transparency across the state.
The office noted that Mississippi has the lowest-paid teachers and assistant teachers in the nation, despite higher spending on administration than other Southern states. Auditors found that teacher salaries, adjusted for inflation, have remained the same since 2008, prompting calls for increased pay.
Additionally, teachers reported that education funding cards, used to buy classroom supplies, often activate after school has already started. The auditor’s office recommends activating these cards earlier to allow teachers adequate preparation time.
For the first time, the office began withholding sales tax revenue from municipalities behind on audits, aiming to increase transparency about local government spending. State Auditor Shad White also announced the “Defend the ‘Sip Fellowship,” providing law graduates with experience at the auditor’s office before military training.
The review revealed that nearly one-third of state agencies do not meet cybersecurity requirements. Agencies have been informed, and efforts are underway to strengthen protections against hackers.
Auditors found that tenured college professors teach fewer students than non-tenured faculty, despite earning higher salaries. The Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning does not track faculty participation in research or community service.
The office also discovered that DeSoto Crime Stoppers received hundreds of thousands of dollars in taxpayer funds over the years, with no evidence of assisting law enforcement in solving crimes.
Shad White announced a legislative agenda focusing on addressing illegal immigration, reducing waste in government, and establishing a whistleblower reward program to combat corruption. The office expressed pride in its accomplishments and looks forward to continuing its service to Mississippi taxpayers.
