February 5, 2010
GOVERNOR BARBOUR MAKES FOURTH ROUND OF CUTS TO FY 2010 BUDGET
Governor Haley Barbour today ordered $21 million in cuts to state agencies, bringing the total cuts to nearly 8.7 percent for the current fiscal year. Revenues in January fell at a faster rate than expected and forced this fourth round of cuts. Today’s cuts affect nearly all agencies, except those exempted by state statute. The Legislature has exempted itself from budget cuts. The Supreme Court also has ruled its budget cannot be reduced by the Governor. read more.
February 5, 2010
STATEMENT OF GOVERNOR HALEY BARBOUR ON THE DEATH OF CHIEF PHILLIP MARTIN
"Chief Phillip Martin was a visionary leader whose remarkable life was marked by devoted and productive service to the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians. His attention to economic development while preserving the cultural aspects of Native American life in Mississippi will be long remembered; he was a great Mississippian and will be missed." read more.
February 2, 2010
STATEMENT OF GOVERNOR BARBOUR ON HOUSE BILL 512
"I commend the Mississippi Legislature for its swift action to address the methamphetamine problem in this state. I look forward to signing House Bill 512, which will make it more difficult to obtain the ingredients for this drug that tears families apart and harms many of our communities. Meth labs threaten public safety, and I don't think there is any doubt we will see a drop in the number of labs in our state." read more.
February 1, 2010
GOVERNOR BARBOUR URGES PASSAGE OF SB 2928
Governor Haley Barbour today urged legislators to boost the number of troopers patrolling state roads and streamline the enforcement of traffic and federal transportation laws by passing Senate Bill 2928. The bill, which is pending in the Senate Appropriations Committee, would increase by 10 percent the number of state troopers enforcing traffic laws on our highways. The bill would shift law enforcement housed in the Mississippi Department of Transportation to the Mississippi Department of Public Safety. read more.
January 29, 2010
STATEMENT OF GOVERNOR HALEY BARBOUR ON JANUARY’S REVENUE SHORTFALL
"The State Tax Commission reported today that revenue collections for the month of January fell substantially below expectations. Previous budget cuts were based on an 8.2 percent shortfall for the first half of the fiscal year, but preliminary reports show January's tax collections missing the mark by 12.2 percent, or $43.4 million. It is the worst showing of the current fiscal year." read more.
January 26, 2010
HOUSE REPUBLICANS OFFER SENSIBLE COMPROMISE TO EASE BUDGET REDUCTIONS
Governor Haley Barbour today commended House Republicans for proposing an acceptable compromise to lessen the impact of recent budget cuts mandated under current law. read more.
January 26, 2010
GOVERNOR BARBOUR APPOINTS MITCHELL TO 11TH CIRCUIT DISTRICT ATTORNEY POST
Governor Haley Barbour today announced the appointment of Brenda F. Mitchell as District Attorney in the 11th Circuit Court District, which includes Bolivar, Coahoma, Quitman, and Tunica counties. Mitchell, who currently serves as interim district attorney, will begin her new duties immediately. read more.
January 22, 2010
GOVERNOR BARBOUR ORDERS THIRD ROUND OF FY 2010 BUDGET REDUCTIONS
Governor Haley Barbour today ordered across-the-board budget reductions for state agencies, departments and special funds, culling another $216 million from the Fiscal Year 2010 budget due to continuing revenue shortfalls. This amounts to an additional 3.19 percent reduction in addition to the 5 percent cuts made in the fall. read more.
January 20, 2010
HOUSE BILL ENDANGERS STATE’S FISCAL STABILITY
Legislation passed by the House is neither a compromise nor a responsible solution to the current budget crisis, Governor Haley Barbour said today. read more.
January 20, 2010
LARGEST STATE AGENCIES BACK GOVERNOR’S CALL FOR FLEXIBILITY
Directors of the largest agencies in state government have asked the Legislature for lump sum budget authority and the flexibility to better manage personnel needs in order to limit potential job cuts by removing the bureaucratic constraints of the State Personnel Board. read more.
January 19, 2010
STATEMENT OF GOVERNOR HALEY BARBOUR
"The House bill is unacceptable. The most glaring problem is the House’s use of another $50 million in this fiscal year. The Rainy Day Fund must last three years because we know that severe revenue shortfalls will last at least that long. If this is all the House is going to do to meet our Constitutional requirement to balance the budget, then I’ll make cuts under existing law this week." read more.