Stimulus funds may bypass Miss. gov.

The Clarion-Ledger, 2/5/9

House Speaker Billy McCoy said he is hopeful an amendment to Congress’ stimulus bill will allow Mississippi to accept the federal funds, even if the governor objects.

McCoy, speaking at the Capitol this morning, said he is “disturbed by” Gov. Haley Barbour’s apparent reluctance for Mississippi to accept funds from a $900 billion federal stimulus plan promoted by Democrats and the White House.

“We are in a recession, the impacts of which will not be seen for many years,” he said. “We shouldn’t put ourselves in a position of not helping those people who need it now.”

Barbour has expressed concern that strings may be attached to the federal money.