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A Win for the State’s ‘Power Brokers’

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The Legislature voted on rules changes last week that some lawmakers say limits their voice in the appropriations process.

by R.L. Nave
Feb. 21, 2012

"Power brokers" win out over the voices of individual legislators in a new set of joint rules the Republican-dominated Mississippi Legislature passed last week, Democrats say. The new rules are among the most serious and far-reaching changes in recent memory.

Democrats, the minority party in both chambers, say the new rules give them virtually no input in the appropriations process.

Starting in the 2013 legislative session, the resolution would require members who want to increase spending in one area to name an equal cut to another area. The resolution says legislators can only amend spending bills when they get to the floor, not in committee, meaning only members who sit on the appropriations committees in each house can have substantive input.

Sen. Kelvin Butler, D-McComb, said the "change places important budget items into the hands of a few power brokers and effectively silences the voice of individual legislators who want to oppose deep cuts to education."

Sen. Hob Bryan, D-Amory, offered an amendment to exempt education appropriations from the provisions, but his attempt was unsuccessful.

For citizens, the result of the new rule, according to Rep. Steve Holland, D-Plantersville: "You're going to have these far-right conservative budgets with no way to leverage them at all."

Butler conceded that that the change doesn't limit lawmakers from spending money; it consolidates power into the hands of a few Republicans.

House Concurrent Resolution 33 passed 32 to 16 in the Senate with four members not voting; in the House, it passed 72 to 48 with two members not voting.

posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 02/21/12 at 01:48 PM. [printer version] Share |

COMMENTS

Wow,
The machinations are taking shape to severely limit the state's responsibility in funding public ed. I bet now they will practically ignore MAEP. But, I guess trial lawyers are getting ready to draft lawsuits in advance in order to get the state to pony up for education in poor districts.

It truly is a shame.

posted by Renaldo Bryant on 02/21/12 at 02:18 PM

This group of Republican are in a race for MS's NEW BOTTOM. How long will people sit idly by and watch these clowns vote AGAINST things that are good for the community-at-large and FOR things that are harmful? This is not about race only. This is about the arrogance of Power and Control; A National Republican Strategy.

posted by justjess on 02/21/12 at 08:29 PM

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A Win for the State’s ‘Power Brokers’

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