ATLANTA — ATLANTA — Following a State of the State address that challenged legislators to take lemons and make lemonade, the Baldwin County delegation said they’re ready to do their best to join Gov. Sonny Perdue on the sunny side of the street.

“It seems like the governor tried to be very upbeat about the situation,” state Sen. Johnny Grant, R-Milledgeville, said. “These are tough times for America, as well as for Georgia, but we will survive and move ahead.

“[The governor’s address] was a call to action to make the sacrifices necessary to benefit Georgia’s future.”

State Rep. Rusty Kidd agreed with Grant, although he said there could have been more details about the governor’s proposed budget. But Kidd said Perdue did touch on the subject he wanted to hear about — mental health.

“I was glad he talked about mental health again this year,” Kidd said about Perdue’s commitment to allot an additional $20 million to mental health in 2010 and another $50 million in 2011. “I’m not sure if it is because of the [federal law] suit, but he recognizes the need for Georgia to take care of Georgians who can’t take care of themselves.”

But both Kidd and Grant were quick to say that Milledgeville will not receive a majority of those additional funds allotted for mental health, which will more than likely go to more populous areas of the state such as Atlanta, Augusta and Savannah.

“There are seven hospitals across the state, and a network of community providers that that money needs to be spread across,” Grant said before going on to emphasize that the federal government and mental health advocates have been clear on the state’s need to adequately integrate mental health consumers into community settings following their treatment in the state’s mental health system.

Perdue’s other agenda initiative, the transition to a student achievement-based pay structure for Georgia’s teachers, left the local delegation wanting more details.

Grant said there are many more real-world details to be worked out in the proposal, including how to make it work for teachers who work with special needs children. But both he and Kidd said the idea of tying teacher pay to desired outcomes is a worthwhile initiative that could prove beneficial for Georgia’s school children.

But overall, Grant and Kidd focused on Perdue’s optimism about legislators’ ability to make tough decisions, while keeping Georgia on a path for future prosperity.

“I’m glad Perdue conveyed a positive tone as we face such dire economic news,” Grant said. “It is tough now, but Georgia will come out of this.

“The results of these tough [budget] decisions are not what we want to do. And it is certain that these cuts, unfortunately, will affect Milledgeville in the short term. But in meeting with the governor, we are certain that there will still be a strong state presence in Milledgeville long into the future.”

Adding to that thought, Kidd asked Baldwin County residents to keep their fingers crossed that the community might become home to a new 1,000-bed private prison. News about that proposed facility could come as early as Friday, he said.