NESHOBA COUNTY, MS (Mississippi News Now) -
Wednesday marked the first day of annual political speeches at the Neshoba County Fair. Lieutenant Governor Tate Reeves was one of the event's headliners. Reeves said there is a huge need for change in the state's education system.
"We must improve the education attainment level of our citizens, but to do that we must have education reform and one of the things I said today is for all those that are fighting reform, buckle up because education reform is coming to Mississippi."
Reeves said the Mississippi Board of Education made a mistake when it decided to omit high school graduation rates from school ratings this year. He said he believes the board's July decision to drop graduation rate requirements was a response to the legislature's decision to change school ratings to an A to F scale.
Board of education members had said they made the change because only high-performing schools - those that would otherwise be rated in the top two tiers - were penalized for not reaching graduation standards.
Reeves also said he is determined to push a broader charter school law through the legislature in 2013.
Central District Public Service Commissioner Lynn Posey and Central District Transportation Commissioner Dick Hall addressed the crowd.
There are no real competitive statewide elections this year, so there was no stumping for votes.
The main topic at the Founders Square Pavilion was the economy. State Auditor Stacy Pickering says Mississippi's economy is stable.
"It's slow growth. We're looking like the rest of the nation. We're looking at somewhere between one to two percent growth this year," said Pickering. "That's a good trend. It's moving in the right direction, but it's not enough to create the kind of jobs and the kind of economy that we need. So, there's still a lot of work to be done."
State Attorney General Jim Hood said the overall lagging economy has made it easier for companies and individuals to take advantage of unsuspecting residents. According to Hood, his office has recovered $70 million in overcharges by companies.
Political speeches continue tomorrow.
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