Five Mississippi legislators held a virtual discussion during the Area Development Partnership’s Legislative Forum II on Monday about what was considered an unprecedented legislative session that featured an economic downturn.
Moderated by Chad Driskell, the University of Southern Mississippi executive vice president for external affairs, the four Mississippi House members and Sen. Joey Fillingane gave their updates on the current legislative session. They restarted their time in Jackson after the coronavirus pandemic halted proceedings for a time.
Rep. Percy Watson of Hattiesburg said the COVID-19 pandemic caused the state to suffer declining tax collections, but federal grants are good. Watson, who represents District 103 and is a member of the Appropriations Committee, is serving his 11th term as a Democrat.
“As you (Driskell) indicate, we are facing unprecedented times,” he said, citing a $1.2 billion budget shortfall in tax revenue predicted by state economists because of the coronavirus pandemic.
First-time Rep. Jansen Owen of Poplarville said a great economy was being enjoyed until COVID-19 took hold in the state. Owen is a District 106 Republican that represents Lamar and Pearl River counties. “It changed the economy almost every night. We’re going to be looking at budget cuts; that’s what people have talked about the past couple weeks. Revenues are down pretty historically, and now we’re talking about budget cuts.”
Owen said budgeting must have definite visions for the session. “With our spending, we need to be making sure we’re spending this correctly,” he said. “We need to target infrastructure, public health and safety, education, and then outside of that we really need to think hard.”
As first-time representative for District 105, Republican Dale Goodin begins his term by making some important decisions. He lives in Richton and represents constituents in George, Greene and Perry counties.
“I think we’ve got some hard decisions to make, not only in next year’s budget,” he said. “This year’s budget also comes with shortfalls you’re going to have to deal with and then we’re going to have to deal with next year. We do have a Rainy Day Fund, but I think we have to be judicious. We have got to help people; we have to work together.”
Rep. Larry Byrd of Petal is chairman of the County Affairs Committee. He represents Forrest County in District 104 and said county funding is important for volunteer firefighters and infrastructure.
“We hope to continue funding firetruck grants this year,” he said. “In the last two years, we had $10 million each year.”
Byrd said local bridges are facing maintenance funds deficits, while also noting that the Internet use tax could produce money for the counties. “There are a lot of challenges ahead,” he said.
Fillingane, who has served the state Legislature for 21 years – 14 years in the Senate – is chairman of the Highways and Transportation Committee and vice chairman of the Universities and Colleges Committee. He lives in Sumrall and represents parts of Covington, Forrest, Jefferson Davis, Lamar, and Smith counties.
Fillingane said budgeting will be critical with the current session.
“All of us will deal with shortfalls in the budget,” he said. “Our belts will be tightened, and we have a tight fiscal year ahead of us.”