The Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal, 1/23/9
By an overwhelming 82-37 vote Thursday, the state House restored a large portion of the education funds that were cut last week by Gov. Haley Barbour.
The bill provides $68 million to the Mississippi Adequate Education Program, which provides the basics of operating local school districts. Last week the governor cut the program $76 million, or 3.5 percent, because tax collections were not meeting projections.
Overall, the governor cut kindergarten through 12th grade education about $90 million.
The House leadership said the $68 million to alleviate the education cuts will be available if the Senate passes and Barbour signs into law the 82-cent-per-pack increase in the cigarette tax approved last week by the House.
House Education Committee Chairman Cecil Brown, D-Jackson, said without the help, many school districts would have budget deficits.
Magnolia Tribune
