JACKSON, Miss. – The Mississippi Legislature will spend $5.63 billion on state services during the 2015 session. That’s $170 million, or 3 percent, more than it did last year.
Budget writers and a representative from Governor Phil Byrant’s office met Monday afternoon and adopted the estimate based on recommendations for the state’s money experts.
Lawmakers will get together in January to officially start crafting a spending plan for the new budget year, which starts July 1. But some leaders have already rolling out their ideas. “With this conservative growth in revenue expected, I believe we can fund our priorities and give taxpayers a much needed raise,” said Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves in a written statement. His other priorities include increase funding for education and Reeves said he would support a “responsible plan” to provide tax cuts for Mississippians.
During the same Monday meeting, the Joint Legislative Budget Committee also increased the estimate for the current fiscal year by $4.3 to $5.46 billion.
