Bryant says budget a challenge

Bryant says budget a challenge

Lt. Gov. Phil Bryant said if he’s elected governor in 2012, and state revenues don’t improve, further downsizing would be a challenge.

Bryant, a former deputy sheriff, acknowledged the state could be looking down the barrel of a billion-dollar shortfall.

“I’m not sure you downsize further,” Bryant said in a wide-ranging interview with DeSoto Times-Tribune editorial staff.

Bryant said his No. 1 goal, if elected, would be to establish performance-based budgeting, which other states, especially Texas, have used successfully to instill financial accountability in state government.

Desoto Times