Op ed piece by Billy McKoy
Op-ed Submission
By Rep. William J. (Billy) McCoy
Speaker, Mississippi House of Representatives
We share the anxiety which lurks in the hearts of thousands of Mississippians faced with budget cuts, potential job losses, reduced services and, yes, even fear of seeing loved ones cast out state mental facilities and early release of convicts. The leadership of the House of Representatives sincerely disagrees with Governor Barbour’s approach.
Now, a solution comes down to political philosophy. After making the mandatory five per cent cuts to present budgets, Governor Barbour finds even more is required as continuing shortfalls exist. The Governor wants more power to ‘pick and choose.’ His track record does not comfort those of us who place priority on education and people. The House believes it is bad policy to empower the Governor more.
Repeatedly, the House’s hardworking appropriations team, led by Chairman Johnny Stringer, has forwarded to our Senate counterparts alternatives. While the Senate rubber stamps the Governor’s proposal and rams it through the process, they have refused to even take up the House proposition.
We don’t want public school teachers, university professors or state employees to unnecessarily worry about their jobs. HB 392 passed by a large majority in the House. It absorbs the shock of budget deficits. It insists that the Governor use an estimated $61,000,000 in Federal Stimulus funds which he has at his discretion and then wisely dip into our savings, often called ‘rainy day’ accounts, for another $50 million.
There is legitimate disagreement about how much money is actually going to be needed to escape our present problem. The Legislature is in session. We can continue to work, tweak and watch for the storm clouds to leave, which they will do. Happy days will eventually return.
The Governor is very good at ‘spinning’ his message, a trait he brought with him from his time in Washington. The House leadership understands the public’s anger and frustration. We simply think, like a family must sometimes do, when an emergency arises, we go to our savings reserves and live to play another day.
The House will continue to seek ways through which we can reduce the harm of drastic budget cuts. We are always open to compromise, but so far, we have not seen that word in the Governor or Senate dictionary.