Mississippi

Shrinking revenues call for transformative government, cautious spending

November 16, 2009 -- Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour today proposed a 12 percent budget reduction for most state agencies and called for the merger of some state agencies, universities and school districts in his Executive Budget Recommendation for Fiscal Year 2011.

The $5.5 billion state budget includes $370 million in stimulus funds that will cease after the coming fiscal year, which begins July 1. Governor Barbour is required by state law to submit a budget to the Legislature.    » read more »

November 9, 2009 -- A state of emergency was declared today for areas of Mississippi expected to be impacted by high winds and heavy rainfall carried by tropical storm Ida as she moves into the Gulf Coast region. The declaration was signed by Lt. Gov. Phil Bryant, as Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour was in Washington, DC.

"Mississippi has a seasoned leadership team that is well-experienced at dealing with emergency situations," Governor Barbour said. "While Ida appears to be weakening, we urge that residents, particularly in low-lying, flood-prone areas, continue to be vigilant, prudent, and alert to any changes."    » read more »

Act on Multiple Peril Insurance legislation

October 13, 2009 -- Bay St. Louis, Miss. -- With the President's upcoming visit to New Orleans on October 15, 2009, Rep. Gene Taylor (D-Miss.) wrote Mr. Obama urging the Administration to reform the National Flood Insurance Program and revisit the Multiple Peril Insurance Act of 2009, his proposed solution to the homeowner insurance crisis that is sweeping America's homeowners throughout the Gulf and Atlantic coastal states.

Rep. Taylor urged the Administration to engage "more actively in reforming the National Flood Insurance Program, providing for better disaster insurance coverage, and improving other disaster response and recovery programs."    » read more »

October 1, 2009 -- "As we now know, September tax collections fell short of estimates by more than $44.9 million, or 10.16 percent; for the first three months of Fiscal Year 2010, total collections are $83.2 million, or 7.68 percent, below estimates.

"By comparison, total collections for July to September 2009 are $128 million less than collections for July to September 2008. This amounts to an approximately 12 percent decline from last year. And, this number includes $23 million more in tobacco tax revenue year to date in FY 2010.    » read more »

Education, medicaid funded, but cautionary note sounded for future

July 1, 2009 -- The Fiscal Year 2010 budget adopted in a Special Session of the Mississippi Legislature reflects many of the priorities and conservative principles outlined by Governor Haley Barbour when he summoned lawmakers back to Jackson.

“While not all issues are resolved, overall this is a prudent, balanced budget that I believe will serve the state’s taxpayers, agencies and their constituents well for the next fiscal year. I am especially pleased the Legislature accepted my proposal to carry forward $60 million from the Health Care Expendable Fund as a cushion against the revenue shortfalls that are expected next year,” Governor Barbour said.    » read more »

Recovery Act funding for Arizona, Kansas, Mississippi, and Oregon to expand state weatherization assistance programs and create jobs

June 8, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu today announced the transfer of nearly $80 million in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to Arizona, Kansas, Mississippi, and Oregon to expand state weatherization assistance programs.

After submitting their comprehensive state weatherization plans that were due on May 12, these states are now receiving 40 percent of the total funding previously authorized under the legislation. Today’s announcement represents the next step in the Obama Administration’s efforts to promote energy efficiency, lower energy costs, and help support new jobs.    » read more »

May 31, 2009 -- As legislative conferees continue talking about the Fiscal Year 2010 budget, it’s important they and the public know the facts about education funding. For school year 2009-2010, our K-12 schools will receive nearly $200 million more than they have ever received in any fiscal year, a 7.8 percent increase over the previous highest year’s funding and a 10.6 percent increase over the funding public education actually received last year.    » read more »

May 26, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – Senators Thad Cochran and Roger Wicker today announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation has released $4,778,461 in funding for airports across the state of Mississippi. Funding for the grants, administered by the Federal Aviation Administration, was provided through the Fiscal Year 2009 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies appropriations bill.

“These federal dollars will improve transportation infrastructure by providing greater efficiency, security, and safety at our local airports,” Sen. Wicker said. “In the process, this investment will help Mississippi remain economically competitive in the future.”

Funds have been awarded to the following airports:    » read more »

May 22, 2009 -- Jackson, Mississippi - With another hurricane season fast approaching, Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour and Mississippi Emergency Management Director Mike Womack want to remind Mississippians to have emergency evacuation and communication plans and disaster supply kits ready.

Governor Barbour signed a proclamation declaring May 25 to May 29 as Mississippi’s Hurricane Preparedness Week. The awareness week is held in conjunction with the National Hurricane Preparedness Week.

“We have come a long way since Hurricane Katrina, but Mississippians need to remember that while catastrophic hurricanes don’t happen every year, we still have to be prepared for the worst and pray for the best,” Governor Barbour said.    » read more »

May 15, 2009 -- “Health experts have said all along it was inevitable that swine flu would eventually show up in Mississippi, and they were right as three cases have been confirmed in south Mississippi. But, this is no time to panic; instead, it is a time to be cautious and mindful of good health practices with which you and your families are already familiar.

“The state Department of Health is on top of the situation in Mississippi and will continue to monitor and issue guidance as necessary. I encourage all Mississippians to stay alert for additional information.”

Source: Mississippi Governor

Foreclosure protection offered to displaced families in 10 counties

May 14, 2009 -- WASHINGTON - U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan today announced HUD will speed federal disaster assistance to 10 storm-ravaged counties in Mississippi and provide support to homeowners and low-income renters forced from their homes following severe storms, flooding, and tornadoes in March.    » read more »

May 14, 2009 -- Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour issued the following statement today:

“It is unfortunate that some members of the House remain blind to budget realities. At today’s session of budget negotiators, for example, State Rep. Dirk Dedeaux, chairman of the House Medicaid Committee, said the federal stimulus money is like manna from Heaven, and just like manna from Heaven it must be eaten that day or it will rot.    » read more »

May 12, 2009 -- Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour and the Gulf Coast Community Foundation (GCCF) today announced a unique low and moderate income housing rehabilitation partnership funded through the state’s $5.4 billion Hurricane Katrina Recovery Fund.

“Geared toward those Hurricane Katrina victims who can’t afford to repair or replace their home, this initiative is another example of how our state is using our federally appropriated Katrina recovery dollars to leverage the knowledge and resources of locally based organizations,” Governor Barbour said.    » read more »

Application for Part 1 of Mississippi's State Stabilization Funds Approved Today

April 28, 2009 -- U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan today announced that more than $321 million is now available for Mississippi under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. This funding will lay the foundation for a generation of education reform and help save hundreds of thousands of teaching jobs at risk of state and local budget cuts. Mississippi will be eligible to apply for another $158 million this fall. Today's funding is being made available per Mississippi's successful completion of Part 1 of the State Stabilization Application, which was made available on April 1.    » read more »

April 28, 2009 -- Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour was advised today the U.S. Department of Education approved Mississippi’s plan to spend $321 million on education needs from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

“Approval of Mississippi’s plan to spend fiscal stabilization monies provided in the stimulus package for education is an important milestone,” Governor Barbour said. “It means we can now move ahead with the Legislature to develop prudent, pragmatic, and conservative budgets as we prepare to cope with declining state revenues through Fiscal Year 2012.”    » read more »