Lawmakers discuss budget

The Hattiesburg American, 12/12/8

A group of Mississippi legislators met with about 50 University of Southern Mississippi faculty and staff Thursday afternoon at the Thad Cochran Center to discuss a simple question.

In the coming legislative season, where does Southern Miss fit within the state’s shrinking budget?

The answer from legislators: Too early to tell, but the outlook is not promising.

“As it stands right now, if we adequately fund K-12, we are going to underfund the junior colleges and higher education, and that’s just the reality,” said Rep. Percy Watson, D-Hattiesburg.