Alveno Castilla Appointed to Tax Study Commission by Governor Haley Barbour.

(JACKSON, Mississippi) - Governor Haley Barbour today named members of a public-private commission who will study Mississippi's tax system on a comprehensive basis, including how federal and local tax structures affect Mississippi citizens and businesses.

"These individuals represent a wide range of expertise in this important subject matter; they come from business, legal, academic and legislative backgrounds. They also share a common bond in that they are all Mississippi taxpayers. I appreciate their voluntary service on this commission and know they will do an excellent and thorough job in carrying out this study," Governor Barbour said.

Governor Barbour said the commission will provide a report of its findings by August 31, 2008 - after completion of Fiscal Year 2008 - to the Governor, the Mississippi Legislature and the public on recommendations for any adjustments. In addition, the staff of the Mississippi State Tax Commission will be asked to provide information requested by the commission, and the Legislature will be asked for a small, one-time appropriation to pay for support of the commission.

As announced earlier, Leland Speed, a Jackson businessman and former executive director of the Mississippi Development Authority, will chair the commission. Other members of the commission include:

Tony Adams-CPA
Ron Aldridge-National Federation of Independent Businesses
Manley Barton-Jackson County Supervisor
Mike Bemis-Business Leader
Joe Blount-Chairman, State Tax Commission
Paul Breazeale-CPA
Tom Butchart-CPA
Alveno N. Castilla-Attorney
Buck Clarke-State Senator, Hollandale
Cobie Collins-Yazoo County Supervisor
Toni Cooley-Business Leader
Socrates Garrett-Business Leader
Karen Green-Professor
Craig Hitt-Lauderdale County Supervisor
Delbert Hosemann-Secretary of State
Terri Hudson-CPA
Paul Johnson-CPA
Dean Kirby-State Senator, Pearl; Chairman, Senate Finance Committee
Bill Lampton-Business leader
Gene McGee-Mayor of Ridgeland
Sonny Meredith-Former Lawmaker
Jay Moon-Mississippi Manufacturers Association
Carl Nicholson-CPA
Aubrey Patterson-Business leader
Tate Reeves-State Treasurer
Tommy Robertson-Former Lawmaker
Bill Rutledge-Mayor of Pontotoc
Robert Smith-Mayor of Columbus
Mike Summerford-Business Leader
Troy Stovall-Administrator
Gray Swoope-Mississippi Development Authority
Forest Thigpen-Mississippi Center for Public Policy
Anthony Topazi-Chairman, Momentum Mississippi
David Waide-Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation
Percy Watson-Lawmaker; Chairman, House Ways and Means Committee
Charlie Williams-Former Lawmaker, Department of Public Safety
Blake Wilson-Mississippi Economic Council