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The candidates answer the DBJ:
Tuck and Blackmon respond to six questions
DBJ:
How can the Lieutenant Governor’s position be an agent
of change in state government?
Tuck: The Lieutenant Governor sets the agenda of the Senate
through guidance, leadership and the power to name chairmen
of committees that control the flow and fate of legislation
in the Senate. With effective leadership from the Lieutenant
Governor’s office, tough legislation, such as civil
justice reform, that can improve the quality of life for
everyone has an improved chance of becoming law.
As Lieutenant Governor I have used the power of the office
to not only begin the effort for civil justice reform, but
also to improve teacher pay, increase accountability in
our schools and protect the state’s elderly and disabled,
our states poorest and most vulnerable citizens.
I am also working to fundamentally change the way our state
budget process works by adding more accountability to our
spending process, making sure state government lives within
its means and more accurately assesses revenue.
Blackmon: The Lt. Governor serves as President of the Senate,
appoints committee Chairs and Vice-Chairs, assigns bills
and resolutions, and in alternate sessions, serves as Chair
of the Legislative Budget Committee. Through the responsibilities
to the people of Mississippi, the Lt. Governor can directly
effect public policy, fiscal affairs, and economic development.
A principled leader can ensure that all areas of the state
are represented at the table of government and that government
is accountable for how taxpayer money is spent.
DBJ: Provide three things you would do as lieutenant
governor that would be of specific benefit to the Mississippi
Delta region.
Tuck: I will continue to work, as I have throughout my career,
to make sure all of Mississippi’s schools provide
a first-class education to all the children of our state.
The Mississippi Delta is a unique area of the state with
unique needs and I have consistently tried to address those
needs. The problem of teacher shortages is particularly
evident in the Delta. Over the last four years we have worked
very hard to implement significant improvements in teacher
pay through my Teacher Opportunity Plan. Paying teachers
as the professionals they are will encourage more young
people to go into the teaching field and also encourage
those already in the classroom to stay.
The Critical Teacher Shortage Act passed during my tenure
as lieutenant governor provides scholarships for anyone
who moves to the Delta and teaches there for three years.
It also provides assistance to those already teaching in
the Delta by providing financial assistance for continuing
education.
Another area of the Act I’m proud of is providing
housing assistance to teachers moving to the Delta. Those
teachers can have up to five percent of any down payment
for a home waived and have their moving expenses paid.
Additionally, the funding mechanism for public schools now
puts more money per child in the Delta than anywhere else
in the state. I have continually supported this funding
level throughout my career and intend to continue to work
to see that it is fully funded every year.
The second area of improvement that would benefit the Delta
goes hand-in-hand with education and that is economic development.
Beside a quality educational system, economic development
needs fair and equitable taxes, a good regulatory climate
with as little government interference as possible and also
relies heavily on good transportation and sound infrastructure.
I have consistently supported the I-69 project to complete
an interstate highway from Indianapolis to the Rio Grande
Valley, through DeSoto and Marshall counties in Mississippi.
I have worked with federal and state transportation officials
for the last several years to make sure Mississippi sees
the full benefit from this highway project. Also, during
my tenure in the state Senate, I was able to push through
a bill that provides $20 million a year to local government
for local bridge repair, which is desperately needed to
provide safe transportation, not only for industry, but
our citizens. As Lieutenant Governor I have been able to
insure the continued support for this program.
Thirdly, and incredibly important to the Delta, is encouragement
and protection of our state’s farming and agribusiness
community. The state’s agribusiness area accounts
for some $20 billion annually and remains one of our state’s
strongest employers in both direct and indirect jobs.
Throughout my tenure in the Senate and the Lieutenant Governor’s
office I have consistently protected our state’s farming
interest from unfair taxation and regulation. I have also
led the fight to protect the catfish industry from inferior
imported varieties.
Blackmon: Our campaign is based on economic development,
job creation, solid educational opportunities, accountability
in government, affordable health care and principled leadership.
These issues have a direct impact on the Delta as well as
other regions of the state, As the Senator for part of the
Delta, I am familiar with many of the issues that directly
affect this region of our great state. As your Lt. Governor:
We will work with the leaders from throughout the Delta
region to ensure the Delta is part of Mississippi’s
economic development and growth. We are proposing to expand
the Business Expansion Tax Credit to include existing small
businesses and proposing new incentives for Small Business
Development. We will work to strengthen local businesses
and to make certain “mom and pop” stores as
well as budding entrepreneurs are not lost in the shuffle
when it comes to economic development strategies.
We will continue to work for improvements in education.
We cannot have a strong economy if we do not have strong
schools educating and training workers to be prepared to
meet the challenges and demands of the modern workforce.
Primary and secondary education, vocational schools and
community colleges as well as our Institutions Higher Leaning
are keys to educating and training workers for good jobs
and re-training those workers who have been displaced. We
will work to ensure these opportunities are available to
Delta residents who can be served at Coahoma, Mississippi
Delta and Holmes community colleges, at Delta State University
and Mississippi Valley State University and other training
facilities.
We will work with the agricultural industry to develop valued
added business organizations that promote our key agricultural
products such as has been done with catfish and sweet potatoes.
We want to encourage the growth and development of agricultural
organizations that create new jobs for Delta residents from
crop growth to production to product sales in national and
international markets. In addition, we will work to provide
support for our important agricultural industries when unfavorable
conditions in the environment and commodities markets force
prices below costs of production.
DBJ:
The lack of substantial and meaningful tort reform by the
legislature has hurt the business image of the state. What
would you do to reverse and improve this situation?
Tuck: I fully recognize that lawsuit abuse is costing our
state jobs and is threatening access to affordable health
care for our citizens. During an unprecedented 83-day special
session last year I fought hard for both civil justice and
medical malpractice reforms in our state. Despite many long
hours and late nights, special interest groups prevented
us from enacting all the reforms I would have liked to have
seen for our state to fully address the problem. We were
able to implement significant reforms despite the strong
opposition. But I see those reforms as only the first step.
More needs to be done and as lieutenant governor over the
next four years I’m committed to continuing to battle
to see those further reforms enacted.
Blackmon: In November, 2002, the Mississippi Legislature
held a special session to address the issues of tort reform.
During that 83 day session, interested parties representing
different points of view were given the opportunity for
input in the legislative process. The session concluded
with the passage of tort reform measures. We believe that
it is important for the Legislature to allow laws to take
effect and give time to determine whether the law is meeting
its intended results. Following a reasonable period after
implementation, if any law does not produce the outcomes
expected, then that law should be adjusted to reflect the
expectations of the people of Mississippi. As your Lt. Governor,
this is the approach we will follow.
DBJ:
As you travel the state campaigning what do you hear as
major concerns from the voters? How do you react to those
concerns?
Tuck: Every citizen is concerned about the quality of life
in Mississippi, from educational opportunities to good,
high-paying jobs. Reforming our civil justice system to
ensure access to quality healthcare is a major concern.
As I said earlier, I am committed to restoring stability
to our legal climate and making sure we have a business-friendly
atmosphere and that our doctors can stay in Mississippi.
Every citizen wants a good, high-quality educational system
for their children and I am committed to continuing the
advances we have seen in education over the last four years.
Higher pay will bring more highly-qualified teachers to
the classrooms, increased funding will provide more and
better resources and increased accountability will demand
successful results. The school accountability law passed
during my tenure is recognized nationwide as a model piece
of legislation and is guaranteed to produce better educated
children.
Citizens are also concerned about our ability to entice
more high-quality, high-paying jobs to our state such as
the Nissan plant at Canton, the Howard Industries expansion
in Laurel and the major expansion of Northrup-Grumman on
the Gulf Coast, all of which I was instrumental in helping
achieve.
We also need to step up our efforts in workforce training,
which I have consistently backed, to make sure our citizens
are trained and ready for these jobs.
Blackmon: As we travel the state, we find that Mississippi
voters are concerned about economic development and jobs,
good schools providing solid educational opportunities,
affordable health care, accountability in government and
principled leadership. These are issues that affect all
Mississippians.
There are no issues more near and dear to my heart, no issues
we will focus on more as Lt. Governor than education, economic
development and jobs. We believe Education+Economic Development=Opportunity.
We will continue to provide educational opportunities, support
teacher pay raises and advocate for adequate funding for
grades K-12 as well as our state community colleges and
universities. Sound investments in education will result
in return on investment in the form of a healthy economy,
effective schools and a lower crime rate. Well-trained workers
prepared to meet the challenges of the 21st century workplace
will play a critical role in attracting new industries.
The Blackmon Job Plan includes initiatives needed to help
small businesses, to train workers better, to enhance the
state’s infrastructure, to improve education and to
promote fiscal responsibility in government. When it comes
to these areas, the people of Mississippi want action. They
want a plan and they want results. That is what we offer.
Affordable, accessible health care in every Mississippi
community, especially in rural areas, is vital to the future
of Mississippi. Of particular concern to our seniors is
the affordability of their prescription drugs. That is why
we have proposed a multi-state prescription drug compact
which will give us the leverage of massive bulk purchases
of medicines and save an estimated $50 to $75 million a
year.
The citizens have the right to demand accountability from
their leaders and to expect tax dollars to be used as efficiently,
as frugally and as effectively as possible. The Blackmon
Fiscal Responsibility Plan includes zero-based budgeting,
improving efficiency by controlling state spending and the
prescription drug compact. When it comes to new spending,
we won’t do it if we can’t pay for it. Finally,
Mississippians want a principled leader who listens and
acts with the best interest of all Mississippians in mind.
DBJ:
Neither of you is from the Mississippi Delta. What will
the Lieutenant Governor do to help the economy of the Delta?
Tuck: The Delta is an integral part of Mississippi. First
we must recognize that and recognize that the best way to
help the economy of the Delta is through continued improvements
in education, economic development and workforce training.
In education we should focus on every aspect from early
childhood development through higher learning.
We must stabilize our legal climate to encourage development
and growth and continue to keep our taxes at the lowest
levels possible. Also, we must insure that governmental
regulations and interference are kept to an absolute minimum.
Throughout my career I have always believed that we must
pay special attention to the underdeveloped areas of our
state and to that end I have supported and fought for programs
like the “Mississippi Advantage Jobs Act” and
the “Growth and Prosperity Act” which focus
on job growth and economic development in low-income areas.
Also, I will continue to support the work done by the Delta
Regional Authority and its newly created New Market Tax
Program, which will have a huge beneficial impact on new
retail outlets and manufacturing start-ups in the Delta.
I have always seen my role as Lieutenant Governor to work
with private and semi-private entities to increase jobs
in both the agribusiness, manufacturing and high-tech sectors.
Blackmon: During my 12 years as a State Senator (first in
District 20 and now for District 21), I have represented
Delta counties and dealt with the issues and concerns of
this region. My plans for economic development, jobs, affordable
health care, education and government accountability will
benefit all Mississippians. My commitment to seek out and
work with leaders from throughout the Delta to develop specific
plans for the region will be a part of the overall growth
and development of our state, therefore providing direct
economic benefits to Delta counties. This will be one of
my priorities, because as others have said, “if we
can move the Delta to the level of prosperity that other
regions of our state have, then Mississippi will become
a thriving state economically.”
DBJ:
This is the first time the voters will have a choice between
two women - one white and one black - for the state’s
second-highest position. How do you view that situation
and is there an added responsibility and emphasis because
of such a match up?
Tuck: This election should be about effective leadership.
It should be about who has a proven track record of being
able to work closely and effectively with all the other
leaders of our state for the benefit of all our people.
Our state has moved beyond race and gender issues and I
do not believe they are relevant to this election.
This election should be about knowing where the candidates
stand on the issues that affect people’s daily lives.
It should be about who has the experience to know and appoint
others to leadership positions that will affect our state
for years to come.
This election should be about proven leadership to move
our state in the right direction at this critical juncture
in civil justice reform and education.
Blackmon: The citizens of Mississippi are looking for the
most qualified, experienced and visionary leader they can
elect for the office of Lt. Governor. I was educated in
the Jackson Public Schools, graduated from Jackson State
University at 19 and earned an M.B.A., Law Degree from Ole
Miss and Masters in Tax Law before I was 26. I have taught
at Hinds Community College, run two small businesses and
practiced tax law. During my 12 years in the Senate, I have
served as Vice Chair of the Senate Finance Committee and
Chair of the State Library Committee and been a member of
the Legislative Budget Committee and Human Services Oversight
Committee. We have a vision and a plan for Mississippi.
The fact that there are candidates of different races in
a very competitive campaign for the second highest position,
and that those candidates are women, reflects well on Mississippi
and indicates a state more open-minded and progressive than
is often presented as the image of Mississippi. The obligation
of this position as Lt. Governor inspires a high responsibility
on the office holder and demands a principled leader. We
don’t believe that this campaign adds any more responsibility
than we already feel to the people of the state. DBJ
