Fewer lawmaker trips due to budget crisis
Senate leaders have eliminated all taxpayer-funded out-of-state travel for the rest of the fiscal year.
Meanwhile, the House is considering a proposal to limit its members to one out-of-state trip each this fiscal year, said House Management Committee Chair J.P. Compretta, D-Bay St. Louis.
“Nothing has been decided, but the House clerk is working on a presentation,” he said.
The move comes four months after the start of the fiscal year, which means some trips already have been approved. Lawmakers appoint members to represent the state at the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Southern Legislative Conference.
“These conferences are a great way for lawmakers to gain knowledge of what other states are doing,” Compretta said.
More than 20 House members recently received approval to attend the National Black Caucus of State Legislators’ 33rd Annual Legislative Conference in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., next month.
Compretta said he’s not sure how many actually will end up attending, though.
Clarion-Ledger
11/20/9
Magnolia Tribune
