March 28, 2011

GOV. BARBOUR PRESENTS REVISED FY 2012 BUDGET PROPOSAL

Gov. Haley Barbour today gave legislators a revised Executive Budget Recommendation for Fiscal Year 2012 that responsibly funds the state’s critical needs, including education, health care and public safety.

Gov. Barbour increased his total proposed spending by $45 million as a compromise with lawmakers. His budget would spend $5.447 billion in the next fiscal year, which begins July 1. His budget relies on less non-recurring revenue than the House proposal and adequately funds the state’s reserves.

“Education is our top priority, and my budget funds the Mississippi Adequate Education Program with state source funds at the same level as we did this year,” Barbour wrote in a letter to legislators. “While I am proposing level funding for MAEP, I am asking that K-12 find $30 million in savings in other areas.  After all, school districts have access to more than $940 million in other funds.”

Click to read the revised budget and letter to legislators.