Budd Van Lines entry into Mississippi draws objection from companies already operating in the state

Budd Van Lines entry into Mississippi.

Key points

• Ezell the odds-on favorite to win re-election in Mississippi's 4th Congressional District over Hulum, Boyanton.
• The firm making the certification request was listed as Budd Van Lines LLC, a New Jersey-based business that provides moving services for various means.
• Northern District Commissioner John Caldwell (R) agreed with Busby's reservations and produced a motion to set the matter aside and revisit it at the next session.
• With President Trump in her corner, Senator Hyde-Smith doesn't pull punches as she seeks re-election.
• Firms at present providing those same services in Mississippi were notified of Budd Van Lines' certification request as required by state law.

Budd Van Lines entry into Mississippi draws objection from firms already operating in the state. By: Jeremy Pittari – October 29, 2026. (Photo from Budd Van Lines website).

Notably, the Mississippi Transportation set aside the recommendation to deny the company's certification request, with Southern District Commissioner Charles Busby saying denying the request "doesn't sound like free market to me."

Mississippi's Transportation Commission set aside a recommendation to deny certification to an out-of-state moving firm during this week's gathering.

In practice, the recommendation to deny the certification was based on outcry from existing firms providing the same services.

Notably, the firm making the certification request was listed as Budd Van Lines LLC, a New Jersey-based business that provides moving services for various means. The request was for a "certificate of public convenience and necessity as a common carrier of property statewide."

Firms at present providing those same services in Mississippi were notified of Budd Van Lines' certification request as required by state law. Two submitted objections. Those objections resulted in a hearing held in June on the matter, MDOT's Legal Division Director Judy Martin remarked.

At the conclusion of the hearing, the hearing officer suggested the commission deny the certification request from Budd Van Lines due to a lack of available business in the market. When that recommendation for denial of the certificate came the Transportation Commission on Tuesday, all three commissioners remarked the matter needed more consideration.

Southern District Commissioner Charles Busby (R) began the conversation when he asked why the hearing officer recommended denial of the request.

"The people protesting, the companies protesting, put on evidence that there was not enough business for the existing people with certificates, " Martin explained, adding the hearing officer sided with those in protest.

Martin continued that if there is no public necessity for a service, the hearing officer can produce the decision to recommend denial of certification.

"You know, it doesn't sound like free market to me, " Busby responded. "I mean, if they want to set up shop and they want to compete. What if they obtained a better mousetrap? Are we going to deny our residents access to a better mousetrap?"

He continued that providing the business with certification to operate in the state is not a guarantee of success.

"Just the fact that they're going to compete for business doesn't seem like a real reason to deny a license to me, " Busby continued.

Northern District Commissioner John Caldwell (R) agreed with Busby's reservations and produced a motion to set the matter aside and revisit it at the next session. Busby and Central District Commissioner Willie Simmons (D) backed the motion.

Budd Van Lines touts that they deliver seamless, nationwide moving solutions from anywhere in the U.S.

"Our dedicated fleet ensures premium service to all 50 states, reaching even the most remote locations with uncompromising quality, " the company's website states. The company's six regional service centers are shown below. Regarding the Author(s).

Jeremy Pittari is a lifelong resident of the Gulf Coast. Born and raised in Slidell, La., he moved to South Mississippi in the early 90s. Jeremy earned an associate in arts from Pearl River Community College and went on to attend the University of Southern Mississippi, where he earned a bachelor's of arts in journalism. A week after Hurricane Katrina, he began an internship as a reporter with the community newspaper in Pearl River County. After graduation, he accepted a full-time position at that news outlet where he covered the recovery process post Katrina in Pearl River and Hancock Counties. For almost 17 years he wrote concerning local administration, education, law enforcement, crime, business and a variety of other topics. Email Jeremy: [email protected].

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In short, budd Van Lines entry into Mississippi draws objection from companies already operating is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.