Lawmakers: Cuts inevitable
State’s economic growth ‘near standstill’
Mississippi has been seeing some slight signs of economic growth, but even that has been on the decline. It was never enough to protect the state from another budget hit, state economist Darrin Webb told lawmakers Tuesday.
“Economic growth appears to be near a standstill,” he said.
Nearly five months into the budget year, lawmakers have been meeting in Jackson this week to prepare for the budget that begins July 1, 2012.
On Tuesday, they adopted the first framework for the budget – an estimate of how much money will be available.
Webb said the general fund estimate is about 0.6 percent below the estimate for the current budget, which means cuts will be inevitable for some agencies.
Clarion Ledger
11/15/11
Magnolia Tribune
