CL – Early budget planning necessary

CL – Early budget planning necessary

Lt. Gov. Phil Bryant, a candidate for governor, has offered a novel – some might say baldly political – suggestion to not hold state budget hearings this month.

Bryant, the Republican nominee facing Democratic nominee and Hattiesburg Mayor Johnny DuPree Nov. 8 in the governor’s race, says he wants to save money.

Normally, the Joint Legislative Budget Committee composed of the leaders of the Mississippi House and Senate begins holding hearings each September.

The hearings are to get an idea of the needs of state agencies and craft a general budget proposal for state lawmakers to consider when they convene in January for the fiscal year that starts July 1.

Clarion Ledger
9/6/11