HALEY BARBOUR DRAWS CROWD OF 1,100 SUPPORTERS AT EVENT IN DESOTO COUNTY

(Southaven, Miss.)—On Monday, March 24, Republican candidate for Governor, Haley Barbour of Yazoo City, drew a crowd of 1,100 supporters at a fundraising dinner in DeSoto County.

The event was held at the DeSoto County Civic Center in Southaven. Barbour spoke to the crowd about the challenges that Mississippi faces and his vision for how Mississippi can do better with strong leadership at the top. Barbour talked about key issues such as education, economic development, and lawsuit reform.

“Public education is the number one economic development issue in our state, and it is the number one quality of life issue, too. So education must be the number one priority for state government. Stable funding is essential for our schools; not just for election years, but for every year,” Barbour said.

“We need straight talk about our economic situation. Since 1999, Mississippi has lost a higher percentage of our manufacturing jobs than any other state in the South,” said Barbour. “Last year, 117 plants closed in Mississippi. That’s more closings than during the depths of the Depression. There are 7,000 fewer Mississippians working today than there were at the end of 1999. I know that with strong leadership, Mississippi can do better than that.”

“Lawsuit abuse has and continues to threaten access to healthcare and the quality of healthcare. Lawsuit abuse is driving the cost of doing business in our state to intolerably high levels,” Barbour stated. “And every small business in Mississippi is one lawsuit away from bankruptcy. While some tort reform measures were enacted last year, there is still a lot more that needs to be done. If we’re going to have real, meaningful tort reform the Governor must lead on this issue—and I will.”

 

 

 

© Magnolia Political Report 2002 • PO Box 24233 Jackson, Mississippi 39225 FAX 601.355.7885 • scoop@magnoliareport.com Josh Gregory, Editor