WESSON – Recalling Mississippi’s response to Hurricane Katrina,State Auditor Phil Bryant Monday told American Legion Boys Statedelegates that “leadership matters” and can make a difference inthe state.

Speaking in the auditorium at Copiah-Lincoln Community College,Bryant said the state’s response to Katrina and other efforts arechanging the world’s view of what Mississippi is.

“We were knocked down. We got up and showed all the world whatMississippi can do,” said Bryant, a Republican candidate forlieutenant governor this year.

Among positive developments for the state, Bryant cited theNissan plant locating in Canton and a new Toyota plant to be builtnear Tupelo. He mentioned that Governing Magazine ranked the state32nd in terms of economic development opportunities.

The auditor looked for positive economic development conditionsto continue to improve in the future. He said the situation is nolonger “Mississippi Burning,” a reference to a 1988 fictional moviebased on the 1964 real-life murders of three civil rights workers,but is now “Mississippi Rising.”

“It is so important to understand that when we face a challenge,we are a family … and that family comes together,” Bryantsaid.

About his current job, which he has held since 1996, Byranttouted over $12 million in misappropriated funds recovered by hisoffice and returned, and more than 200 elected or public officialsindicted. He said officials should not be put in a position ofpublic trust and then take or misuse public money.

“This is not a difficult concept to understand,” Bryant said.”We’re not going to tolerate it.”

Following Bryant’s comments, he was quizzed on a variety oftopics by Boys State delegates. Topics ranged from school-relatedissues to the failed cigarette tax increase-grocery sales taxdecrease measure championed by current Lt. Gov. Amy Tuck.

“I didn’t think it would work,” said Bryant about the tax swapproposal.

Bryant speculated that as the tobacco tax increased, peoplewould stop smoking and sales tax revenue that municipalities andothers depend on would go down. He said taxes would then have to beraised elsewhere to make up for lost revenue.

Mentioning Gov. Haley Barbour’s plan for an overall review ofthe state’s tax codes, Bryant said a system is needed that is morefair and equitable for all people.

Responding to one audience member’s question, Bryant calleddrug-testing for welfare recipients “a great idea.” He added that atreatment program is also needed to help those addicted todrugs.

“It’s powerful. It’s easier now. We need to do more of it,”Bryant said about drug-testing.

In response to questions on school-related issues, Bryant calledfor efforts to increase spending in the classroom rather than onadministration, an early warning system to spot and preventpotential dropouts and said the court decision to remove prayerfrom schools “one of the worst decisions in the history of thenation.”

“It’s a terrible system that’s been established,” said Bryant,who earlier told students there is nothing more important in lifethan faith and family.

Boys State delegates are scheduled to hear from State TreasurerTate Reeves Tuesday and then travel to Jackson Wednesday to visitwith state officials. The 64th annual session is scheduled toconclude Friday.