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He said there are more opportunities for you to find a job in the coming year. Bryant encouraged the legislature to support the University of Mississippi Medical Center facility, which broke ground two weeks ago.
"Physicians create about $2 million in economic impact the minute they enter their communities," he said. "Having more providers will create better health care access for all Mississippians." He said the new facility will create about 19,000 new jobs.
Better access to health care is one solution Bryant pushed as a solution to Meicaid expansion, which is suggested, but not required under Obama Care. He said rather than expanding, Mississippi should reduce the number of people on Medicaid.
"Any law that will add 300,000 Mississippians to a federal entitlement program, partially funded by the state, will either result in a huge tax increase or drastic cuts in education, public safety, job creation and other budgets."
"We should be compassionate by lowering the Medicaid population through economic growth, personal responsibility and providing more access to private sector health care."
Bryant announced the formation of the Mississippi Health Care Solutions Institute. He described it as a non-profit, non-government entity. He said it will serve as a "chamber of commerce" for the health care industry in the state. It is set to be headed by Dr. Clay Hayes, a cardiologist and former head of the Greater Jackson Area Partnership.
Bryant also introduced his Education Works agenda, which puts several initiatives under the umbrella of two bills. One of those is merit-based pay, which Bryant has touted since early 2012. He announced a pilot program that includes Clarksdale, Gulfport, Lamar and Rankin.
"Let me be clear. No teacher will lose any salary. We must reward our best and brightest to keep them in the classroom."
Bryant said he will support open enrollment legislation.
"For far too long a family's street address locked them (students) behind a wall into one school. When districts choose to accept students from other attendance zones, we should allow them to do so. Mississippi legislators, let us tear down those walls."
The act he said he is proposing would affect students in poverty to go elsewhere on a privately-funded program.
A requirement of a 21 on your ACT to become a teacher, with a 3.0 GPA is also a proposal. Bryant also wants a scholarship program, with 200 scholarships set aside for students who have a 28 on their ACT who will commit to teaching in the state for five years.
Bryant also acknowledged the House Charter School Bill that passed through the committee and will soon be up for a vote.
"When a good charter school bill reaches my desk, I intend to sign it," he said.
The entire speech
