Bryant stated that he has a renewed faith and belief in the outcome. Bryant said, “I have seen the benefits of our mutual efforts and know that they far surpass any perceived and temporary gain in political posturing.” Bryant also spoke with emotion about the new state museums that were opened in December. Bryant, who was once lieutenant governor and opposed the funding of a Civil Rights Museum, said that “at that remarkable event Mississippians of all colors and persuasions came together with an understanding and compassion for the tragedies, violence perpetrated upon innocent people who just wanted to exercise their rights to vote.” He said, “But there was more to our collective condemnation for the racial atrocities displayed in the museum.” Bryant stated that there was a sense of mutual reconciliation and joy when it became a reality. “We looked into Mississippi’s soul and found that it had been cleansed from all deceit and malice. “The soul of Mississippi now contained love for all its peoples, its traditions, and most importantly, our future.” Bryant’s 37-minute speech focused on the state’s accomplishments in creating a new business climate. He noted that this state is being called the “Mississippi Model” to reduce government regulations. Bryant spoke out about improving the environment for entrepreneurs and said that he would sponsor legislation in this session to “reduce more government regulations and unleash the independent spirit which will make Mississippi one of the most job-friendly states in America.” Bryant also mentioned several economic development projects, some of which were attracted by tax packages that lower the taxes that companies pay to Mississippi. The new Continental Tire plant in Clinton, which is expected to open next year, was top of his list. It will employ 2,500 Mississippians. Bryant said, “It was recognized as the top economic developmental project for 2016” and that it led to another milestone. “Area Development” magazine gave Mississippi its first Gold Shovel. He introduced Milwaukee Tool’s manager, who recently announced 660 jobs at the Olive Branch, Greenwood, and Jackson plants. Bryant spoke of Navy contracts Huntington-Ingalls landed in Pascagoula. This port has built 70 percent the branch’s ships. He also mentioned Roxul, a Marshall County plant that manufactures insulation products, Northrop Grumman which assembles UAVs at Jackson County and Borg Warner which makes auto parts in Water Valley. The governor, as is his habit in public appearances complained about a focus on the negatives. “The proverbial criticisms would have you believe one is a declining country whose people are suffering greatly.” They look for problems as though there is a reward for solving them.” The governor quickly praised the state’s low unemployment rate of 4.8 percent, which was the lowest since 1979 when it began to be measured. He stated, “I believe that every Mississippian should have equal opportunities for a job. I am working hard towards making this belief a reality.” Bryant cited several achievements in education, such as a passing rate of 90 percent for third graders on the state-mandated reading exam, and high school graduation rates above 80 percent. Bryant boasted about the Republican leadership’s ability adopt charter schools and early learning initiatives, as well as school choice options for students with special needs. Bryant asked legislators to increase school choice for special-needs students, which was a focus of legislative leaders during this session. This initiative’s proponents claimed this week that vouchers would enable students to receive the education they need. Opponents have argued that using public school money to send students to private schools is wrong. Bryant stated that he believes parents should be able to choose the school they want, and not have it chosen by the government. Bryant also urged lawmakers to work to reform the public education funding formula. Bryant stated that the funding formula should not be used as a political tool to accuse someone of failing to support education. This old trick didn’t work in the past and it won’t this year. Most of us want more than an adequate education system for Mississippi. We want a fantastic one.” He also requested that lawmakers fund the Mississippi Works Fund to provide training for workers through the state’s community college systems. The governor used the term “free college” in his Executive Budget Report, which was released late November. This led to national attention. This terminology was not used in Tuesday’s speech. Bryant stated that he would seek another state trooper training school and noted, “If this goal is achieved, we could have more troopers in the road by next years than any time in Mississippi Highway Patrol’s history.” Bryant also praised the Governor’s Opioid and Heroin Task Force, which began to combat the illegal drug epidemic, which has claimed 200 lives in Mississippi over the past year. He announced several projects including the establishment of a medical community in Harrison County’s Tradition development. This will include a William Carey University pharmacy school. He also announced a project First Lady Deborah Bryant championed: a Jackson long-term palliative unit for sick children at Blair E. Batson Children’s Hospital. The speech, which was hosted by the House chamber, was attended by most state officials. The chamber was equipped with lights and cameras for public television. Bryant was joined by his wife Deborah at the Speaker’s Well. The state Supreme Court and state Court of Appeals members sat on one side of a chamber floor, while statewide elected officials sat the other. Members of the House and Senate sat at their respective chamber desks. State agency heads and special guests were seated in the upstairs gallery. While many people stood up and applauded during the speech, legislative Democrats remained mostly seated. To support this important work, you can make a regular donation to our Spring Member Drive today. Our reporters give a human face to policy’s impact on everyday Mississippians by listening more closely and understanding their communities. To ensure that our work is aligned with the priorities and needs of Mississippians, we are listening to you. Click the button below to let us know what you think. Republish this Story You can freely republish our articles online or in print under a Creative Commons licence. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. Mississippi Today, Adam Ganucheau
January 9, 2018