Mississippians are some of the hardest working people I know. Whether you’re raising kids at home, putting in long shifts at the hospital, working the land, or welding on the job site, your dedication and grit are second to none. That’s why, as your State Treasurer, I believe your money should work just as hard as you do.
This month, our team announced a milestone achievement: By applying conservative, results-driven financial management, we’ve generated a record-breaking $1 billion in interest income for the state on money that would have otherwise sat idle. That’s not just an impressive number on a spreadsheet. It’s real money flowing back into Mississippi’s General Fund to support schools, improve infrastructure, and help keep our taxes low. These are tangible benefits that directly impact families and communities across our state.
To put this in perspective, during the five years before I took office, Mississippi averaged just $39 million in investment earnings. Since I became Treasurer, that number has jumped to roughly $187 million per year – a nearly fivefold increase. That kind of turnaround doesn’t happen by accident. It’s the result of intentional, strategic stewardship.
State Treasurer David McRae
But we didn’t stop there. Over the last five years, my team has returned more than $140 million in unclaimed money to its rightful owners, shattering records every single year.
We’ve also protected Mississippi’s strong credit rating and saved taxpayers more than $100 million by refinancing state debt at lower interest rates. And when I took office, the Mississippi Prepaid Affordable College Tuition (MPACT) fund was just 72 percent funded. Today, it is largely solvent and on stronger footing, giving Mississippi families more confidence in saving for college.
All of this reflects one simple principle: Fiscal responsibility matters. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished, but I’m not done yet. I will continue working to protect your tax dollars, strengthen our economy, and keep our state’s finances secure. After all, you work hard; your tax dollars should too.
Mississippi Treasurer David McRae is the 55th Treasurer for the State of Mississippi. In this role, he helps manage the state’s cash flow, oversees College and Career Savings Mississippi, and has returned more than $140 million in unclaimed money to Mississippians. For more information, visit Treasury.MS.gov.
