Page 26 - South Mississippi Living - October, 2018

COASTNOTES
Doing the
Right Thing
Gov. Phil Bryant signing the state legislative bill.
Governor Signs BP Oil Spill Authorization Bill in Gulfport
story by Lynn Lofton photos by Neil Ladner
“That is now law,” Gov. Phil Bryant declared as he signed the state legislative bill authorizing that 75 percent of the BP oil spill restoration funds are earmarked for Mississippi’s six coastal counties. The governor was joined on stage by Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves, Speaker of the House Phillip Gunn and the entire Gulf Coast legislative delegation before a large crowd in the lobby of Hancock Whitney Bank Plaza in Gulfport. These counties will receive $30 million each year for the next 15 years.
The event began with a welcome from Hancock Whitney CEO John Hairston and an invocation from Father Ryan McCoy, pastor of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church. Hairston said, “We celebrate that there were enough votes to bring this money to the Coast and right the wrongs caused by the oil spill.”
After being introduced by Hairston, Gov. Bryant began his remarks by saying he’s never seen such a productive special legislative session as the one in which this funding bill was passed. “This bill makes sure any funds not used during the year will
not lapse into the state’s general fund,” he said. “Your delegation fought for this, and thousands of jobs will be created as a result.”
“My recollection of getting this done is that it was easy peasy,” Reeves joked, but
quickly added, “Chairmen from other areas of the
state helped and it was not necessarily politically easy for them. A majority of Republicans and Democrats and a majority of Black and White legislators voted for this bill. That is leadership with a lot of people deciding to do the right thing.”
Speaker Gunn singled out representatives Jason White and Trey Lamar for their help in bringing North Mississippi to the table. He also
praised Mississippi Power executives Anthony Wilson and Billy Thornton for their involvement. “It’s a win for all of the Coast. Now we can put it behind us and move forward,” he said.
Anthony Wilson made closing remarks, thanking all who helped make the bill’s passage possible. “I believe this great partnership will continue.”
The governor was joined by the entire Gulf Coast
legislative delegation before a large crowd in the lobby of Hancock Whitney Bank Plaza in Gulfport.
26 SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living • October 2018 FOR MORE REFLECTIONS OF THE GULF COAST >> www.smliving.net