Legislature must act to free up to $79 million
Up to $79 million in special funds from as many as 27 different programs is trapped and unable to be spent until the Legislature takes action in 2017.
The frozen funds have slowed some aspects of state government, resulting in delayed public services, additional bureaucracy and, in some cases, unanticipated expenditures.
In a broad review of the impact of the Budget Transparency and Simplification Act – commonly called the “sweeps law” – Mississippi Today found that rulings by Attorney General Jim Hood blocking some special funds from the sweeps left the funds in limbo….
…Agency heads agree that the law has had what legislative leaders see as a positive impact on state agencies: forcing them to focus more tightly on budget priorities and spending, thereby saving the state money.
Daily Journal
12/14/16
Magnolia Tribune
