By Staff
TUCK VISITS MERIDIAN State Sen. Videt Carmichael, R-Meridian, talks with Lt. Gov. Amy Tuck before she spoke about tort reform and other issues today at the East Mississippi Business Development Corp. Business Before Hours. Photo by Carisa McCain/The Meridian Star
By Lynette Wilson / staff writer
Dec. 10, 2002
Lt. Gov. Amy Tuck praised the Mississippi Legislature today for approving changes to the civil justice system, a move she said is vital to the state's national image.
Tuck, who presides over the state Senate as its president, played a key role in the three-month special session on civil justice reform better known as tort reform.
Tuck spoke to more than 250 business leaders, civic leaders and others who attended the monthly East Mississippi Business Development Corp. Business Before Hours breakfast meeting.
Tuck grabbed statewide headlines last week when she announced she left the Democratic Party and officially joined the Republican Party. Tuck ran for lieutenant governor in 1999 as a Democrat.
Besides tort reform, Tuck also talked about education and economic development and reaffirmed the state's commitment to raise teacher salaries to the southeast average.
The three-month, 2003 regular legislative session begins in January.
Tuck said that despite a downturn in the state economy, sales tax revenues are still on par. But, she said, individual income tax revenues are below estimates.