Online post accuses Mississippi of wasteful spending

A commentary circulating online accused Mississippi officials of a series of wasteful spending practices, including buying overpriced equipment and sending public funds to nonprofits that allegedly used them for Lyft rides and alcohol, the post said.

The post alleged the state bought the same TV screens for $5,800 that the federal government bought for $2,200. It also alleged Mississippi spends $100 million a year on services for undocumented immigrants and pays more to insure state office buildings than Florida, the commentary said.

Authors of the post further alleged the state spends a larger share of its education budget on administration than any other Southern state despite having some of the lowest-paid teachers in the country. The post said tax dollars sent to nonprofits were later spent on items including Lyft rides to bars in New York City and Bud Light.

The post did not cite sources for the claims, and the allegations could not be independently verified based on the information in the commentary. The commentary did not include a comment from Mississippi state officials.

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