MS lawmaker's response to email from Gulfport woman causes social media stir

GULFPORT, MS (WLOX) - A state lawmaker's response to an email from a Gulfport woman is causing a stir on social media.

Becky Guidry posted the exchange with State Rep. Karl Oliver that included the Winona lawmaker telling Guidry he'd like to see her leave Mississippi and return to her native Illinois.

Guidry emailed Oliver about Senate Bill 2858, or the "Taxpayer Pay Raise Act," which would phase out some income taxes and eliminate the corporate franchise tax. The senate has passed the bill.

In her email, Guidry took lawmakers to task writing "it is irresponsible of our leadership to suggest eliminating income and corporate franchise taxes when revenue and projections are already down, budgets for various services are being cut across the board and funding for public education and other critical services such as child care, foster care and roads/bridges are underfunded."

Oliver turned personal, pointing out Guidry was "not a native to the Great State of Mississippi," adding he "could care less" that Guidry disagreed with him.

Oliver ended his response with "I would, however, recommend that there are a rather large number of like-minded citizens in Illinois that would love to see you return."

WLOX News Now contacted Oliver on Friday morning. This is what he had to say:

Mrs. Guidry offered in her email that tax friendly, pro business government was in her words irresponsible.  I simply shared with her our political views on government responsibility differed. I, and an overwhelming majority of Mississippians, agree, as evidenced by the pro business legislators they send to Jackson to represent them time and time again, that less intrusive government, letting the people have more of their hard earned dollars to provide for their families as they desire, and providing an environment conducive to growth and prosperity across the state are their concerns. I could care less that she disagrees with me. I did not tell her to leave Mississippi. I suggested that like minded individuals in her home state of Illinois DO agree with her overwhelmingly, and that I'm sure they would love her to return.

We also spoke with Guidry on Friday afternoon. We will have her response later today on WLOX News Now and WLOX.com.

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