However, the way each agency arrives at its bottom line is different as a Mississippi Today analysis of both proposals shows. Most state agencies are facing cuts, according to prominent budget writers. Some agencies will face severe cuts. These cuts must be approved by the legislature before they can be implemented. This allows agency heads and lobbyists to make arguments for additional funding, which will allow them to appeal for more funding before final appropriations decisions can be made. While the governor proposes a 0.5 percent reduction in the general fund budget, which would be $29.3 million or less, lawmakers suggest a budget cut of 3 percent, which would be $195.3 million or more. House Speaker Philip Gunn (chairman of the budget committee) stated that “this recommendation is in accord with our continuing goal of budgeting within my means.” “We have made hard but solid budgetary decisions. We have also taken into consideration ideas from the budget working groups meetings that took place during the summer and autumn.” These proposals are published weeks before the legislative session begins and are meant to provide lawmakers with a rough template for drafting appropriations bills for each department and agency in each state. In the first part of the 2017 session which starts Jan. 3, agency officials and lobbyists will present their case to the House and Senate Appropriations Committees as well as individual legislators. However, observers of the budget process point out that lawmakers may be less likely to release the state’s pockets after months of careful legislative scrutiny of 13 agencies’ spending. The governor’s and legislators’ proposals are markedly different. * Child Protective Services: Lawmakers propose an 11.76 percent cut, which would amount to $14.3 million. Governor proposes a 13.6% hike, which amounts to $13.6 million. * Department of Revenue. Lawmakers propose a 9.63 percent cut, which amounts to $9.4million, while the governor proposes an 8.4 percent increase, which is $3.4 million. * Department of Audit. Lawmakers propose a cut of 15.95 percent (or $1.46million), while the governor would reduce it by 1.8 percent (or $167,000. * Mississippi Developmental Authority – Lawmakers propose a 37.49% cut, which would amount to $10.5 million. The governor, however, would only cut 1.8 percent, which amounts to $362,000. * Total K-12 education. Lawmakers propose an increase of 0.39 percent (or $9.7million) over last year. The governor proposes a slight increase of 0.04 per cent, or $33,351. The governor would fund this line item, but the legislature would reduce Mississippi Schools for Blind and Deaf’s budget by 14.62%, or $1.5million. * Institutes for Higher Learning: The legislature proposes a 5.34% cut, which would amount to $39.7million, while the governor proposes an 1.7 percent reduction, or $10.9million. * Community Colleges – Lawmakers propose a cut of 6.5 percent, or $17.3million, while the governor would maintain the same fund. * Department of Health. Lawmakers propose a 8.24 percent cut to the Department of Health’s budget. The governor proposes a 1.8% cut, which amounts to $1.1 million. * Department of Mental Health – Lawmakers propose a 3.27% cut to the department, which would amount to $7.8million. The governor would maintain the same level of funding. * Department of Human Services – Lawmakers propose an 8.17% cut, which amounts to $4.8 million. The governor proposes a $1.08 million cut, which is a 1.8 percent reduction. * Attorney General’s office: Lawmakers propose a cut of 5.28 percent, which is $1.4 million. The governor proposes a cut of 1.8 percent, or 506,564. * Secretary of State’s office: Lawmakers propose a cut of 7.5 percent (or $1.18million), while the governor proposes a cut of 1.8 percent (or $289,000. * Department of Agriculture and Commerce. Lawmakers propose a 6.96% cut, which would be $528,000. The governor would reduce by 1.8 percent, which is $138,000. * Department of Insurance. Lawmakers propose a 10% cut, which would amount to $1.28million. The governor would reduce it by 1.8 percent, which amounts to $331,000. * Department of Insurance: Lawmakers propose a 10 percent cut, which would amount to $1.28 million, while the governor would cut 1.8 percent, or $331,000.