Republican Mississippi governor ignores Medicaid expansion and focuses on jobs in State of the State

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Republican Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves said he intentionally avoided hot-button issues and political conflict in his State of the State speech Monday, instead calling for legislators to support economic development by funding roads, ports and bridges.

Reeves never mentioned one of the most-discussed issues so far this legislative session — the possibility that Mississippi, one of the poorest states in the U.S., could extend Medicaid benefits to hundreds of thousands more of its residents

He urged lawmakers to establish 12 magnet schools that concentrate on mathematics and engineering, and to create apprenticeship programs so high school students could develop career skills.

Reeves, who was inaugurated for his second term in January, said government should interfere in people’s lives as little as possible.

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“We must be prudent and cautious,” he said. “We must demand lower taxes and regulations. Their money circulating in their towns will do more than any additional government program ever could.”

Mississ