Dear fellow Republican,
Political speaking at the Neshoba County Fair ended yesterday as we heard from many of our Republican elected officials on the famous stage at the Pavilion in Founders Square.
The following Republicans spoke during the two-day period: Gov. Phil Bryant, Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves, Speaker Philip Gunn, Sec. of State Delbert Hosemann, Treasurer Lynn Fitch, Auditor Stacey Pickering, Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney, Agriculture Commissioner Cindy Hyde-Smith, Public Service Commissioner Lynn Posey, Transportation Commissioner Dick Hall, Sen. Giles Ward, and Rep. Scott Bounds.
Mississippi Republican Chairman Joe Nosef was at the fairgrounds meeting with elected officials and supporters. He also appeared on the Gallo Show yesterday morning.
It was also great to see so many members of the legislature and other elected officials from throughout the state at the Fair.
You can view photos from Neshoba here.
Governor Calls for Job Growth, Education Improvements and Reduction of Teen Pregnancy
Gov. Phil Bryant’s speech at the Neshoba County Fair outlined Mississippi’s path forward, touting the importance of job creation, education reform and tackling teen pregnancy.
Bryant built upon his inaugural address, saying his administration’s no. 1 duty is making sure that every Mississippian who wants a job has one. He said Mississippi has made strides in creating a positive business climate that will lead to increased economic investment and job creation. Key measures of his Mississippi Works agenda, passed during the 2012 legislative session, are building economic momentum.
“In the seven months since I’ve been governor, I’ve been able to enjoy the best part of my job — announcing new jobs for Mississippians,” Bryant said. “Seventeen companies have either announced a new location in Mississippi or expanded their existing presence to more than 1,800 new jobs plus 400 existing jobs that have been retained.
“Now with the framework of things like the Health Care Industry Zone Act, offsets for the inventory tax and easing of regulations on small businesses, you will see even more companies looking to Mississippi because it works.”
Mississippi is attracting more jobs while seeing a decreasing unemployment rate, but he wants to see the progress continue, he said.
“I want to see unemployment at 7.5 percent by 2015,” Bryant said. “We have the best workforce in the world, and we are proving it. We are going to keep attracting new jobs, and we are going to keep investing in workforce training and development. I won’t move an inch from the belief that we have the best workers not only in America but in the world.”
Read the full release here.
Education Reform Essential To Improving Student Achievement, Lt. Gov. Reeves Says At Neshoba County Fairgrounds
Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves said on Wednesday he will continue his focus on reforming the state’s education system to improve student achievement and grow a stronger workforce. Reeves spoke at the 2012 Neshoba County Fair.
“I have a message for people in both parties who are scared of the future of education reform: buckle your seat belts,” Lt. Gov. Reeves said. “Reform is coming to Mississippi.”
Lt. Gov. Reeves said he will build upon the education reforms passed in the 2012 Legislative session, which included screening kindergarten and first grade students for dyslexia and consolidating administrations of struggling districts in both Sunflower and Bolivar counties.
The Legislature also passed a new rating system for school districts that will clearly communicate how districts are performing. In September, districts will be graded by A, B, C, D & F, which provides parents with a transparent system of assessing schools.
He expressed disappointment in the Board of Education’s recent decision to remove the dropout rate as an accountability factor in grading the districts as the Legislature implemented a new ratings plan.
“Some of our education leaders are more worried these grades could embarrass principals or administrators,” Lt. Gov. Reeves said. “But I’m more worried about the opportunities for our children than bad P.R. for the adults.”
Read the full release, and text of his speech, hehttp://www.ltgovreeves.ms.gov/Pages/pr_08_01_2012.aspxre.
Magnolia Tribune
