CA-House, Senate divided on cap on budget cuts; Conference showdown to determine authority for gov.

JACKSON -- The state Senate rejected House-approved legislation Wednesday that would have capped at 5 percent how much Gov. Haley Barbour could cut from individual departments and agencies to balance the state budget.

The Senate vote sets the stage for a showdown in a conference committee of senators and House members.

Conference committee members will determine whether the governor can cut 10 percent from individual departments or agencies before triggering a legal provision requiring him to cut all agencies by that amount before trimming the state budget further.

Barbour wants the 10 percent figure to give him more leeway in making spending cuts necessary to have a balanced state budget.

Commercial Appeal
2/4/10