Reeves, Hood clash over state budget
Hood appeared before the group to make his budget request for the upcoming fiscal year, which begins July 1.
But Reeves wanted to talk about criticism Hood levied on the Budget Transparency and Simplification Act during the summer. Reeves accused Hood of not having all the facts when he said during the summer the law would generate $130 million less for the state budget than legislators had intended when they passed it.
“That is not true,” said Reeves, who repeatedly tried to get Hood to admit he “exaggerated” the budget problems facing the state.
The issue came to the forefront after Hood wrote official opinions, which is one of the duties of his office, saying about $79 million that legislators were trying to sweep from special funds or trust funds to the general fund to plug budget holes could not be transferred because of the way the legislation was written. State Fiscal Officer Laura Jackson has said she would adhere to the AG’s official opinion in handling state finances.
Daily Journal
10/11/16
Magnolia Tribune
