Tuesday, January 15, 2002

The Natchez Democrat

NATCHEZ – Local legislators are not expecting any major revelations

from Wednesday’s State of the State address by Gov. Ronnie Musgrove.

At best, Sen. Robert &uot;Bob M.&uot; Dearing, D-Natchez,

believes the governor might allude to a future announcement concerning

economic development.

&uot;Maybe sometime during February or March,&uot; he said.

&uot;That’s what I’ve been hearing.&uot;

A recent trip to South Korea by the governor has many speculating

at the possibility of Hyundai looking at locating a plant in the

state.

&uot;I know what I’m not expecting to hear. I’m not expecting

to hear any specifics on the governor’s budget proposal,&uot;

Dearing said.

The governor has yet to give a budget proposal, which according

to state law was due Nov. 15.

Rep. Phillip West, D-Natchez, said he has no problem with the

governor taking extra time, calling the governor’s budget proposal

&uot;secondary to what the Legislature approves.&uot;

&uot;We have a weak governor in this state. That is how the

(state) Constitution is written. Musgrove’s just the man holding

that office right now,&uot; West said.

West predicts an upbeat message from the governor, one where

Musgrove will outline his goals for the coming year.

&uot;His last address was good. He was upbeat. I predict he’ll

do the same this year,&uot; West said. &uot;He’ll probably concentrate

on economic development and education. Those are his biggest platforms.&uot;

Rep. Andrew Ketchings, R-Natchez, is interested in the governor’s

proposal to use the tobacco trust fund toward Medicaid.

&uot;I have no problem using the interest from the trust fund.

Medicaid is surely a health benefit and that’s what the interest

is earmarked for. But I don’t want us to touch the principle of

it at all,&uot; Ketchings said.

Ketchings is also eager to hear figures the governor has used

for his plan to use $100 million of the trust fund to pay off

nearly $400 million for Medicaid.