Lt. Gov. Amy Tuck applauded recent successes in Brookhaven andaround the state Tuesday, but also said more work needs to be doneto improve education, economic development and the state’s civiljustice system.

Speaking at a joint meeting of Brookhaven Lions Clubs and theKiwanis Club, Tuck said great things are happening in Brookhavenand the surrounding area.

“They’re not happening by accident,” said Tuck, citing goodlocal leadership and an ability to work together.

One example Tuck mentioned was the Mississippi School of theArts, which is scheduled to open in August. She said the schoolwill make a “true difference” and benefit gifted arts students fromacross the state.

Tuck has been credited with being influential in helping securefunding for the school during this year’s legislative session. Thelieutenant governor said there were some tight budget times thisyear and priorities had to be set.

“That was a priority and it will continue to be,” Tuck saidabout the school.

Speaking about the budget, Tuck said state leaders are facingdifferent economic times than several years ago when state growthwas 10 to 12 percent.

“We don’t have that luxury,” said Tuck, who will be chairman ofthe legislative budget committee later this year. “We’re having tomake tough decisions and we’re going to continue to have to makethose decisions.”

Tuck said growth now is around 1 percent a year.

“We want to do exactly like you have to do, and that’s livewithin our means,” said Tuck, who also mentioned the impact thestate has felt from Sept. 11 and the war with Iraq.

In other areas, Tuck stressed the link between education andeconomic development.

“The two go hand in hand,” Tuck said.

Tuck discussed a renewed sense of patriotism in stateclassrooms. She said she was proud of legislation to put thestatement “In God We Trust” in all state classrooms and of studentssaying the Pledge of Allegiance to start school days.

“I think it will go a long way in instilling the values I thinkwe need to have in our young people,” Tuck said.

Also on the topic of schools, Tuck called for a continuedcommitment to work force training programs offered by communitycolleges.

“We need to keep our commitment to work force training,” saidTuck, mentioning a four-year, $20-$22 million funding plan. “Thisis important for economic development.”

Tuck praised the opening of the Nissan automobile plant inCanton that was held earlier Tuesday. But she also touted theimportance of small businesses, calling them the “heartbeat of thestate.”

“That’s who we need to be standing up for,” said Tuck in callingfor stability in the state’s legal climate. “We need civil justicereform in this state.”

Tuck said tort reform supporters did not get everything theysought during an 83-day special session last year, but they didscore some successes.

“Certainly, we wanted to do more,” Tuck said.

Tuck said the state needs a $250,000 cap on non-economic damagesinstead of the $500,000 agreed upon during the session. She alsocalled for strengthening of venue language, other damage award capsand joint and severable liability.

Tuck said the state needs a climate where doctors want to stayhere and practice. However, they also need to be able to stay andafford malpractice insurance coverage.

“Affordability and accessibility , that’s what we’ve got tocontinue to shoot for,” Tuck said.