Reaction to Miss. Gov. Bryant’s State of the State Speech

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) – Some reaction to Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant’s 2015 State of the State speech:

– “He didn’t mention Medicaid expansion. I still think we should expand Medicaid. … I do agree with more money for tourism, but that (Medicaid expansion) is a better return on investment,” Rep. Sherra Hillman Lane, D-Waynesboro.

-“It was consistent with the past three years. I think a lot of the things we have been building on have been successes,” Sen. Michael Watson, R-Pascagoula.

– “It reflected some of the things President Barack Obama said in his State of the Union speech last night, about the economy growing … and community colleges,” Rep. Gregory Holloway, D-Hazlehurst.

– “I think the economic news was good. … We have a lot of needs in the state. We just have to figure out what the priorities are,” Rep. Manly Barton, R-Moss Point.

– “The Republican political spin about job creation is just that – spin,” Rep. Robert Johnson D-Natchez.

-“I would like to see us invest more in education. I believe the blueprint for all economic development, for me, that’s education,” Rep. Nick Bain, D-Corinth.

– “There is big difference between Republicans and Democrats in our outlook on issues that we believe should transcend party lines. On almost all issues facing Mississippians, it should not matter what party you identify with. We need grown-up discussions of issues instead of blindly following the party line. That is the attitude Mississippi Democrats have taken and will continue to take again this year on government accountability, jobs, education, and hospitals. There are other issues, however, where the governor just continues to be out-of-step with Mississippians,” Bay-Waveland School District Superintendent Rebecca Ladner, in a statement issued by Democrats.

– “Gov. Bryant’s continued leadership in developing Mississippi’s economy and helping create more and better jobs for our workers was on full display this evening. He has been a tireless and effective leader, and the results speak for themselves: strong and improving economic indicators and recognition of Mississippi by numerous national organizations and publications as a great place to work and do business. Perhaps the clearest indicator of our success is the fact that Mississippi Democrats have resorted to highlighting and attempting to downplay the state’s economic achievements under Governor Bryant,” Mississippi Republican Party chairman Joe Nosef.