Mississippi lawmakers react to Gov. Bryant's speech

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — A sampling of reaction from legislators to Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant's 2019 State of the State speech, his eighth and last address:

— Rep. Robert Johnson III, a Natchez Democrat, said he sees Mississippi's economy in a dimmer light than Bryant: "The state is losing population and economically. Although the governor has done a fine job of maintaining the status quo, we haven't had any growth."

— Rep. Trey Lamar, a Senatobia Republican, welcomed Bryant's call for more funding for the foster care system: "That's got to be done and we've got to move consistently toward that effort. We're under a court order to do it.