Haley Barbour in Governor's State of the State speeches, early 2000s
On Crime:
More state troopers; plus pay raises for state police
Another priority we have focused on is law enforcement. Our Highway Patrol and other state law enforcement have received the biggest pay raises in history to get them on a level with our neighboring states. Two [new] trooper schools in one year--one paid
for with federal funds after Katrina--have added 92 new highway patrolmen to the force. We plan a third trooper school in the next fiscal year to get us back closer to the authorized number of troopers.
Source: State of the State address to 2007 state legislature
Jan 15, 2007
On Drugs:
Reduced number of crystal methamphetamine labs
The Bureau of Narcotics continues to excel, and legislation passed two years ago has greatly reduced the number of crystal methamphetamine labs in the state. Drugs continue to be a major problem, and most crime is drug-related, but you are doing things t
combat it. I ask you to increase the number of narcotics agents by 50, or nearly half. While most policing is done at the local level by police & sheriffs’ departments, we need to give them all the support we can to protect our citizens & families.
Source: State of the State address to 2007 state legislature
Jan 15, 2007
On Education:
More local control over schools
Our record funding of education is important, but the true test of our commitment to education is not how much we spend; it is the results we demand & achieve for our students. The taxpayers rightly expect us to get their money’s worth for what we spend.
Reforms passed last year will help, such as giving local leaders more control over their schools. This year, I ask to expand funding an early childhood education initiative that builds on the network of private child care and Head Start centers.
Source: State of the State address to 2007 state legislature
Jan 15, 2007
On Energy & Oil:
Supports $1.3 billion coal gasification plant
East Mississippi is healthy, but I believe there are more opportunities, and we are focused on them. The announcement of the Mississippi Power $1.3 billion coal gasification plant in Kemper County and continued strong performance on I-20 and Neshoba
County show the Meridian area is moving forward. Katrina reconstruction plus the building of a more than $1 billion Strategic Petroleum Reserve facility near Richton will fuel more job growth.
Source: State of the State address to 2007 state legislature
Jan 15, 2007
Page last updated: Mar 14, 2021