12/30/2009 6:00:00 PM Budget woes to dominate state legislative agenda
By STEVEN G. WATSON Associate Editor
JACKSON - There state's budget crisis will be the obvious focus when the 2010 legislative session begins on Tuesday.
Madison County's eight legislators in the House of Representatives and four state Senators will begin work immediately trying to find ways to cut spending in the wake of declining revenues.
In November, Gov. Haley Barbour proposed a $5.5 billion budget for the 2011 fiscal year that included a 12-percent reduction in some state agencies' budgets, the merger of several universities and consolidation of many of the state's 152 school districts.
Heated debate is expected on most of the budget issues with Rep. Rita Martinson (R-Madison) saying everyone is bracing for what will likely be a tough year.
"The main focus will of course be on the budget," Martinson said. "I'm on the appropriations committee so we'll be meeting every day to come up with some overall solution."
Rep. Mark Baker (R-Brandon) said the budget will take precedent, in some cases leaving other important issues on the table.
"Everything else is going to kind of fall by the wayside," Baker said. "This is a budget year, this year and next. It's going to be difficult, but we're just going to have to wait on some things."
Finding solutions
Several legislators are trying to come up with solutions to declining revenue or proposing ways to cut costs. From school district consolidation to merging various state agencies there is a lot being considered.
Earlier this month, Sen. Walter Michel (R-Jackson) even introduced legislation calling for a 25-percent reduction in the number of elected officials serving in the legislature.
His proposal would reduce the state Senate from 52 members to 40 and the state House from 122 to 90.
"This will put us more in line with our border states," Michel said, adding that more importantly, "the reduction would save the state approximately $2 million a year.
"If we're going to ask state agencies to cut their payroll we should set an example if we can," he added.
This week, following Barbour's call for school district consolidation, state Superintendent of Education Tom Burnham (who takes over in January) recommended legislators consider allowing the state Board of Education to consolidate the districts it takes over after due to low performance.
He also recommended the possibility of establishing charter schools in their place.
Charter school are schools with a specific focus (math, science, art) that are supported by public funds, but have a different governing structure. They do not have to adhere to all state mandates.
"In my mind you don't give it (the school system) back to the people who allowed it to fail to begin with," Burnham said, adding that by consolidating or creating a charter school, "You are creating a new governing structure."
Other issues to address
Despite the overall focus on the budget most legislators will still be filing bills on a variety of issues and trying to drum up support.
Baker wants the state to take a serious look at management of 16th section land (see story page 1) and has also filed a bill to make child endangerment a felony.
"It surprised me that it wasn't already a law," Baker said of the child endangerment bill.
Martinson said she hopes to introduce a bill that will grant counties the ability to allow gated communities in the unincorporated areas of the state.
She is also working on furthering the state's open meetings laws.
Michel said he will be introducing two bills concerning public safety and law enforcement.
One to cut down on Mississippi drivers driving without a license and another to help create a uniformed pursuit policy for all law enforcement agencies to follow and coordinate their actions when chasing someone who has committed a crime.
