House speaker wraps up statewide ‘ideas’ tour

AROUND MISSISSIPPI — House Speaker Philip Gunn says education is a recurring theme at the town meetings he held across Mississippi last week.

He says comments and ideas have varied.

Gunn, a Republican from Clinton, wrapped up his “ideas” tour in Brookhaven. He made earlier stops in Jackson, Greenwood, Hernando, Tupelo, Columbus, Meridian, Hattiesburg and Biloxi.

Gunn says health care has been another topic of concern. He says education and health care are the areas on which the state spends most of its tax dollars.

Some speakers say the state should provide funding for early childhood education and work with colleges to award scholarships to encourage talented students to stay in the state.

Gunn says his meetings have reaffirmed that lawmakers have been right to make education and health care priorities.