Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves takes oath of office calling for ‘big, bold reforms’
JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) - Under cloudy skies on the front lawn of the Mississippi Capitol Tuesday, Governor Tate Reeves accepted the oath of office for the second time as governor.
The theme of Governor Reeves’ inauguration was, “Mississippi’s Time.”
The governor began his inauguration by thanking Lieutenant Governor Hosemann, Speaker White, President Pro Tem Kirby, Speaker Pro Tem Barton, members of the Mississippi Legislature as well as his family, friends, and Mississippians.
Reeves said, “The single highest honor,” of his professional life is serving as the governor. “And it brings me tremendous joy to stand before great leaders, the people of Mississippi, and God to take this oath today.”
The governor said he and his wife made a conscious decision many years ago to place roots in Mississippi and do everything in their power to make it better.
“We were all in from the start. We volunteered. We worked hard. Bought a house in the city of Jackson. We did not at that time imagine statewide office, but we were determined to make a difference.”
Reeves said Mississippi’s priority shouldn’t be to merely become better, but instead, strive for the best - but he said we must all be realistic about the challenges the Magnolia State still faces.
“We need to honestly assess the barriers in our economy – and boldly knock them down,” he said. “We need to recognize that the cost of healthcare continues to rise, and access seems too limited. We need to make sure we do not rest on our success in education and workforce training. Momentum is our asset and inertia is our enemy. We cannot settle for better – we have to demand the best.”
Reeves said lawmakers must be bold when it comes to goals and put them into action.
“Let’s continue to give Mississippians relief from taxes and eliminate the burdens on their families. Let’s be transformational in those efforts to compete with the best. Let’s continue to invest in and bolster Mississippi’s nationally recognized education system. Let’s protect mothers and babies by further expanding the Pro-Life Agenda – by making Mississippi the best place in America to have and raise a child. Let’s protect the rights of parents and let’s protect our kids. Let’s proudly defend our culture and our way of life. Let’s make Mississippi the safest state in the entire nation. And let’s relentlessly recruit new jobs not just to our prosperous counties but to all our communities.”
Governor Reeves said there is only one Mississippi – and it is Mississippi Forever.
Watch the full inauguration here.
Here’s Tuesday’s full schedule of events:
- INAUGURATION FOR THE GOVERNOR OF MISSISSIPPI
Mississippi State Capitol | 10:30 a.m.
The swearing-in ceremony of Mississippi’s Governor Tate Reeves as he begins his second term of service.
- INAUGURAL PARADE
Downtown Jackson | 2:00 p.m.
Winding down the historic streets of downtown Jackson and concluding at the Governor’s Mansion, the inaugural parade is a time-honored tradition worth attending with the whole family.
- MISSISSIPPI GOVERNOR’S MANSION OPEN HOUSE
Mississippi Governor’s Mansion | 3-4:30 p.m.
Tour the second-oldest continuously occupied Governor’s Mansion in the United States. The Mississippi Governor’s Mansion, a National Historic Landmark, has housed every one of Mississippi’s highest-elected officials since 1842.
- CELEBRATE MISSISSIPPI: INAUGURAL BALL
Mississippi Trade Mart | 7-11 p.m.
Cap off the inaugural festivities with an evening of dining and dancing at the Mississippi Trade Mart. Join Governor and Mrs. Tate Reeves, along with countless other guests.
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