Governor Bryant addressed the Mississippi Legislature

"Now let us make this common sense change now and get on with repairing our children for the real world and stop teaching for the test."

Bryant believes increasing education is necessary to attract high-tech industry to Mississippi. Bryant also re-emphasized his support of merit-based raises for teachers instead of across the board pay increases.

"Now my strategic plan calls for implementing merit pay with in at least 70 percent of the schools by 2018."

The governor addressed other issues including a pledge to end abortion in the state and his support of prison reform. He emphasized the need to increase troopers to the states Highway Patrol.

"Without more troopers on the road, people will die."

The governor announced that Mississippi is launching a first of it’s kind website and mobile application that will pair job seekers and employers with real-time employment information.