Monday is the deadline to act on spending bills. Friday’s grim revenue projection for next fiscal year was published, prompting legislators to scramble to trim already tight budgets in many departments and state agencies. Both houses approved a bill on Saturday that remits special fund agency assessments into the general fund. It also prohibits state agencies charging fees to other state agencies. This bill was viewed as a way to prevent more severe budget cuts for agencies that depend on the general fund. Individual appropriations for state agencies were being discussed in closed-door conference committee meetings. This left the public and majority of legislators out of the loop. That was paired with the talk of significant budget cuts, which some lawmakers suggested could lead to layoffs. Sunday’s debate saw lawmakers express their concern about the situation in both chambers. “I don’t know what’s happening with the budget, other than it being obvious that we don’t possess much money,” stated Sen. Hob Bryan (D-Amory). “It’s Sunday afternoon at 3:00 p.m., there’s a deadline, and nobody knows what’s happening. Bryan said, “Agency heads have been nervous.” Bryan said that there are many changes in the budget. It’s likely not comparable to other budgets because special funds are being modified. This makes the budget difficult to understand.” Three representatives from each chamber meet in small groups to discuss individual appropriation bills. These meetings are closed for the media and the public. The committee report is presented to both houses for vote. The committee chairmen have the option to address the appropriations from the floor or can take questions from the entire legislative body. Sunday saw several members of both parties complaining about the lack information that they received before they could vote on the bills. The Senate received a spreadsheet containing projected budget changes for each state agency only on Sunday at 4:15 p.m. The House of Representatives was never provided with a breakdown of budget modifications. It’s difficult to see these agencies and the reductions they are making, but it’s obvious that some of those charges they don’t have to pay (under Saturday’s bill),” stated Sen. David Blount. What is the effect on an agency’s budget? What percentages are involved? What are the percentages? Mississippi Today was able to obtain a copy the Senate spreadsheet. The numbers presented on the House floor were directly contrary to the spreadsheet. Rep. Sam Mims (R-McComb), a member of Congress’ public health and human service committee, stated that the Department of Health’s budget would go down 13.6 percent. Clarke’s Senate spreadsheet shows a 0.4% cut. Mississippi Today spoke to seven senior legislators who said they’d never seen so little information about a budget proposal. Bryan, who is a frequent speaker on the floor regarding legislative procedure, was concerned about the speed of the process and the lack information being provided to senators. Clarke stated that he agreed with Bryan’s concerns. Clarke stated that rules are important and the pro-tems may need to meet to discuss how to reduce the amount of time in the appropriations process. You can make a budget of $6.8 billion in just 36 hours. Talking to leaders and subcommittee chairsmen are just a few of the other things you can do. The way this process works is time-consuming. We might need to look at another way. At least three lawmakers suggested that budget cuts in certain departments, such as the Department of Health would cause severe problems that layoffs could be possible. To offset the proposed cuts, Reps. David Baria (D-Bay St. Louis), Omaria Scott (D-Laurel) and Steve Holland (D-Tupelo) suggested that they tap into the $375 million state “rainy-day fund” to make some adjustments. Despite all the confusion, lawmakers continued meeting into Sunday evening to vote on spending bills. Clarke stated, “I would like to learn more about the process.” Clarke said that we shouldn’t be pressured by deadlines when taking critical decisions such as this. We need deadlines. ”
I’d like to see a simpler process that is easily visible by the public.”