With the release of Mississippi's September tax collection information, Gov. Haley Barbour is once again looking to slash the state's budget. Actual collections last month fell short of the state's estimates by $44.9 million, or slightly more than 10 percent. For the first quarter of the 2010 fiscal year, collections were $83.2 million shy of the estimates.

"These dismal facts reinforce what I said earlier," Barbour said in a statement. "It is likely that more spending cuts will be necessary in this fiscal year to ensure a balanced state budget. The fact that state law will not permit me to cut any agency more than 5 percent until every agency is cut at least 5 percent may present some additional challenges."

Barbour is currently out of the country on an Asian economic development trip, speaking in various countries about "the credit crisis, worldwide recession, and how private entrepreneurs, investors and policymakers can work together to bring stability to the world economy," according to a Sept. 28 release from his office.

Previous Comments

ID

152431

Comment

Barbour can talk all he wants about bringing stability to the world economy, but it doesn't deter the fact that his political maneuvering and the resultant special sessions cost the state significantly this year.

Author

chaffeur

Date

2009-10-04T22:59:43-06:00