Secretary Michael Watson Update

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July 29, 2022


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Tackle the Tape Two-Year Anniversary

Since launching our Tackle the Tape (TTT) initiative two years ago in July 2020, we have seen tremendous success with the amount of anticompetitive state regulations cut and business owners served.

Since its inception, we have cast 77 votes with the Occupational Licensing Review Commission to cut burdensome red tape. In addition, we have helped find solutions for individual business owners like founder and CEO of Carmigo, Andrew Warmath, and worked with businessman Joseph Cure and MDAH to resolve an issue caused by a facility permit regulation.

We are also halfway through year one of our 29x29 strategic plan and receiving great feedback from our partners. We are looking forward to being able to take some of their suggestions and input to the OLRC for votes to cut harmful regulations later this year.

For more information on Tackle the Tape or the 29x29 strategic plan, click here.


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June Elections Recap

We are pleased to report there were no statewide issues reported during the June 7th primary and general elections, nor the June 28th Republican Primary Runoff. 

Other Secretary of State employees and I traveled to more than 60 counties ensuring safe and secure elections. I was pleased to see our laws are being followed and applied by friendly poll workers. Thank you to all who helped make Election Day a success.


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82-County Tour

Continuing my mission to visit all 82 counties in Mississippi, we have completed 54 counties. We recently visited with Circuit Clerks and Election Commissioners in Tate, Panola, Calhoun, and Chickasaw Counties.

We know the best way to ensure election integrity is to have open and honest conversations with our local officials who are responsible for so much of the work required during an election.

To learn more about the 82-County Tour, click here.


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Student Ambassador Program

We have officially launched our Student Ambassador Program and announced the inaugural class! This year's group of Ambassadors consists of 56 students from 44 schools in 28 counties across all four congressional districts.

We are thrilled to work with such a diverse group of young leaders who recently joined me for an introduction via Zoom and will soon take part in fall and spring summits at the Secretary of State’s Office. The summits will include various sessions to learn more about state government and an in-depth training to help Ambassadors successfully organize and facilitate voter registration drives on their school campuses during the spring semester.

To view the list of our inaugural Ambassador class, click here.


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Hancock County Port Tour

I recently enjoyed a visit with my friends at Port Bienville. We shared project updates and plans, discussed land development, and 16th section leases. All in effort to make it easier to do business in Mississippi. There are many great things happening, and I am excited to see the impact these projects have on the Gulf Coast and throughout the state.

Recent News


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Bigger Pie Forum: MS Secretary of State Michael Watson

"BPF visits with Secretary Watson to find out more on the 'Tackle the Tape' initiative and the plan within it titled '29 x 29.' The aim is to review every regulation for all 29 occupational licensing boards and commissions by the year 2029."

Click here to listen Episode 1 of the podcast interview.

Click here to listen to Episode 2 of the podcast interview.


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Y'all Politics: Secretary Watson to keynote small business conference organized by the Southern Business Institute

"A small business conference hosted by CollabSouth and organized by Southern Business Institute aimed at connecting business owners and the community is coming to Jackson in August."

Click here to read the article.


Staff Spotlight

Veronica Shotwell

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Veronica Shotwell is from Byram, Mississippi and serves as a Customer Service Representative in our Division of Business Services and Regulation. She has been with the SOS team since September 1, 1999.

Veronica is an invaluable member of the Business Services staff due to her many years of experience in the division. She works diligently and efficiently to ensure documents are processed in a timely manner to accommodate all parties involved.

We are extremely lucky to have Veronica on our team as she is reliable and a great team player. We appreciate all she does for the SOS, but more importantly, for Mississippi.