SH – Bryant passes first test with high marks

Bryant passes first test with high marks

Gov. Phil Bryant has passed his first test as Mississippi’s chief executive with high marks.

Haley Barbour’s last minute pardons of more than 200 criminals created a vast distraction to Bryant’s inauguration and first day in charge.

But it also gave the new governor a unique opportunity to display his own strength and style, and he delivered with a strong message that the new man in charge would have a different approach in matters dealing with pardons.

Attorney General Jim Hood said Barbour’s former counsel had refused to turn over records on the pardons, but Bryant stepped in and made those records available.

Sun Herald
1/12/12