Mississippians received some expected – but still disappointing – news this week with confirmation that 2000 Census tallies show our state will lose a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.

That loss will prove critical, not just in the loss of a voice in Congress but in the loss of untold federal funding often tied to population.

We cannot allow ourselves the luxury of moping over the loss; instead, we should focus our state’s energies on resolving the underlying problems beneath the declining population – problems that range from inconsistent educational systems to sporadic growth to age-old images that, for better or worse, are difficult to escape.

True, Mississippi has taken several notable strides of late – the growth along the Gulf Coast and in the DeSoto County area is impressive; Nissan’s plans to build a 4,000-employee plant in central Mississippi are astounding; and we can boast companies such as Callon Petroleum and WorldCom, which are thriving in the global marketplace.

But in much of Mississippi – including the rural Southwest Mississippi area – the outlook is not as bright. Our children are leaving for better jobs, better opportunities; our industries are floundering; our unemployment continues to rise; and our schools struggle to provide in some cases even an adequate education, let alone an exceptional one.

We have much to do to create real and sustained growth here in Mississippi … and we must get beyond the debates and tirades over state flags and onto the business of looking ahead and growing. Gov. Ronnie Musgrove has indicated he will offer bold proposals to the state Legislature when it convenes next month, not just in the area of budgeting. We challenge him to focus the state on resolving our nagging and costly problems … and then on moving ahead into the 21st century.