Last week, the Mississippi House passed a resolution to override Gov. Haley Barbour's decision to reject some of the stimulus funds for the state. Barbour has stated that he will not accept more than $50 million to extend unemployment benefits.

Senate democrats are urging that the Senate move a similar resolution out of committee for a full discussion.

According to a release, Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 615 was filed and sent to the Rules Committee last week, urging Governor Barbour to accept all federal funds allocated in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. To date the Rules Committee has not acted on this resolution.

"The Senate leadership once again is working to silence the voice of many senators. The refusal of the rules committee to take up this resolution and bring it to the full Senate dilutes the rights of the people," said Senator Alice Harden in a statement. "Working people in Mississippi are struggling. It is important that their legislative leaders work with them and on their behalf to ensure their recovery. One way to do that is to ensure that all the dollars available to others in this great country are also available to the citizens of Mississippi."

Denying a full discussion on the state's ability to accept or deny funds undercuts democracy, the release concludes.

Previous Comments

ID

144523

Comment

I was under the impression that State Government didn't have a choice in the matter, but that the money had been rammed through regardless.

Author

Ironghost

Date

2009-03-10T08:05:35-06:00

ID

144530

Comment

Must this Governor always put our State on expo to be viewed by the world as mean, out of touch with reality, always finding ways to hold on to a class system that punishes people because they are poor or with other differences? If this Governor does not know how to deal with this promised financial injection, why doesn't he simply step down and allow someone else to step up to the plate? Perhaps lobbying is a better fit for Haley.

Author

justjess

Date

2009-03-10T09:31:12-06:00