Bryant touts Mississippi at Neshoba County Fair
Gov. Phil Bryant took the stage at the Neshoba County Fair Thursday in jeans and a working-man's shirt to highlight what he calls the wonderful things happening in Mississippi.
"This is a great state filled with wonderful people," Bryant told an enthusiastic crowd of several hundred at the Founders Square Pavilion. "Thank you for making this a great state."
Bryant took on the media and others over House Bill 1523, the religious objections bill.
RELATED: Christian group's role in HB 1523
"Man landing on the moon didn't have as much written about it as (House Bill) 1523," Bryant said.
As he has done previously, Bryant defended the legislation, which was struck down by a federal judge only minutes before it was scheduled to go into effect July 1.
"If they can't beat you at the ballot box, they sue you," Bryant said.
Bryant touted his administration's job creation, passage of charter school legislation and the 22 million visitors he said came to the state last year. Bryant also unveiled plans for a day of prayer in conjunction with First Baptist Church in Jackson for the men and women of law enforcement. He didn't provide details, but said more will be coming on that in the near future.
House Speaker Philip Gunn said his perspective has changed since his appearance last year at the Neshoba County Fair because of the birth of his first grandchild.
He said he is most interested in the future for his grandchild.
"We need leaders who don't have to run a poll before deciding what to do," Gunn said, citing himself and other Republicans in the House as such leaders.
Gunn also urged Democrats who share the same conviction to join them, but added those who don't should stay away.
The one known Democrat who spoke, Central District Public Service Commissioner Cecil Brown, blasted state lawmakers and leaders for the state budget.
"Based upon my experience, review of the details of the budget, and information from folks involved in the budget-making process, I can tell you that the state budget is a mess," Brown said. "The budget the Legislature recently passed spends at least $136 million more dollars than the state expects to collect. That's right. We are spending more than we have. Probably much more."
Brown said state leaders pride themselves on being fiscally conservative, but said that apparently means cutting taxes and reducing spending regardless of the consequences.
RELATED: Reeves, Hood square off at Neshoba County Fair
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Some notable quotes from the last day of political speaking at the Neshoba County Fair:
Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann: "Campaign finance will pass next year."
Agriculture Commissioner Cindy Hyde-Smith: "The U.S. Department of Agriculture should be the agency inspecting catfish."
Treasurer Lynn Fitch: "We need a constitutional amendment to balance the (state) budget."
U.S. Senate Roger Wicker: "Hillary Rodham Clinton should never get back in the White House. I'm calling for unity in the Republican Party. A lot is at stake."
State Supreme Court candidate Kenny Griffis: "I ask you to give me a promotion. I think the state Supreme Court should be leaders in transparency; campaign finance is long overdue."
State Supreme Court Justice Jim Kitchens: "You helped (wife) Mary Kitchens to get me out of the kitchen eight years ago. I haven't done anything dishonest or dishonorable. I have proven myself worthy of your trust."
Contact Jimmie E. Gates at 601-961-7212 or jgates@jackson.gannett.com. Follow@jgatesnews on Twitter.