Education, health care: Lawmakers continue to grapple with state budget
The Legislature returned last week to pass the state’s long-delayed budget after a five-week recess, but it got put off again because House-Senate negotiators remain deadlocked in disagreement.
They can’t concur on how much money should go to education, health care and other public services.
Grappling with a budget that was to be finished March 27, the Legislature decided Friday to recess again until May 26 to give negotiators more time to reach a compromise.
“I don’t know what the biggest one is, but they do have some hang-ups,” said Rep. David Gibbs, D-West Point.
The Democratic-dominated House wants to spend more, but the Republican-controlled Senate allied with Gov. Haley Barbour want to spend less.
“The budget offered by the governor and Senate will devastate (local schools and state colleges). The House has a balanced budget without destroying the state financial plan,” House Speaker Billy McCoy said in a statement issued by House Democrats.
Commercial-Dispatch
5/11/9
Magnolia Tribune
