JACKSON, MISS– Governor Phil Bryant is scheduled to deliver the State of the State address Tuesday at 5:30pm at the State Capitol.
Governor Bryant is expected to mention the budget, especially given the recent budget cut of $55 million dollars.
“When I came into office,” said Governor Bryant. “The budget was about $5.53 billion dollars. This (fiscal year 2017) budget, even after the cut, is… $730 million dollars more than 2012.”
Performance-based budgeting for state agencies will also be touched on in the State of the State address.
“We need to talk about consolidating some of these state agencies,” said Governor Bryant. “If we keep saying we’ve got to grow government larger and larger… that’s not what we were sent here to do.”
Foster care will be another point the governor could discuss, given the Olivia Y lawsuit, a federal suit filed against the state because of treacherous conditions foster care kids in Mississippi faced.
With the legislative session in full swing, Governor Bryant is also expected to touch on some of the bigger pieces of legislation that lie ahead, one of which is funding the school for Mississippi Highway Patrol troopers.
“I understand the challenges the legislature faces with funding a new trooper school,” said Governor Bryant. “But when you’re down 170 officers.. that’s a good size department in a major city…that relates directly to the safety of the driver.”
Governor Bryant said he will continue to urge the legislature to act quickly to fund the school and fill the gaps statewide.
News Mississippi will bring you the latest updates from Tuesday night’s address. Follow along on Facebook.com/newsms.fm or on Twitter @News_MS.
