Bryant defends office in beef plant debacle

The Clarion-Ledger, 10/27/7

Amid political finger-pointing over the failure of a beef processing plant that cost Mississippi millions, State Auditor Phil Bryant defended the role his office played in the process.

Bryant, the Republican candidate for lieutenant governor, also told The Clarion-Ledger editorial board Friday that he’s still against a tax swap that would lower grocery taxes while raising the tax on cigarettes. Instead, he suggested hiring a private accounting firm to study the state’s tax code.

And he said that if he is elected, he will not be afraid to disagree with GOP Gov. Haley Barbour.