The Legislature will tweak the Mississippi Adequate Education Program, will look for ways to pay for repairs to worn out roads and bridges and will consider spending more money on a gigabit broadband initiative on the Coast.
But the Coast’s delegation expects its biggest fight will be over the $750 million the Mississippi Legislature will control from the BP settlement, three lawmakers told the Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce at its annual pre-legislative briefing on Tuesday at the Golden Nuggett. And it was their promise to fight for the money that drew the loudest and longest applause.
“I’m gonna tell you guys, it’s going to be a fight,” said Rep. Richard Bennett, R-120, of Long Beach. “Even the people who I thought were friendly to us on the Coast, when I go to Jackson and talk to them a little about it, right off the bat, they say, unt-uh, it’s not the Coast’s money.”
SunHerald
12/15/15
Magnolia Tribune
