STATE OF MISSISSIPPI

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

TIM FORD, SPEAKER
POST OFFICE BOX 1018
JACKSON. MISSISSIPPI 39215-1018
(601) 359-3300
FACSIMILE (601) 359.2969

MEMORANDUM

 

To:  Members of the House of Representatives
From:  Tim Ford, Speaker

In the short time since the 2001 regular session ended, the Governor has leveled several criticisms at the Legislature for actions taken during that session. I believe that those criticisms have been unfair, in that they have not told the entire story about the issues involved. I would like to take this opportunity to tell you that I appreciate your fortitude in making difficult policy decisions, even when your actions related to those decisions are misrepresented. I am writing to provide you with information that can help you respond to your constituents about these matters.

There are at least three issues that have been in the forefront during the past weeks since our regular session ended: (1) the Governor’s dissatisfaction with the Legislature’s handling of the projected revenue growth for Fiscal Year 2002; (2) his opinion that the Legislature allocated too much money for prisoners’ expenses in regional and private correctional facilities; and (3) his attempt to create a perception that the Legislature has not given our teachers a permanent raise. Statements made by him with regard to all of these issues have not offered the public all of the pertinent facts.

With regard to teachers’ salaries, we know that last year the Legislature passed the plan to increase teachers’ salaries to the Southeastern average. That law provided that the annual increases would be automatic if the Sine Die General Fund revenue estimate for the succeeding fiscal year reflected at least 5% growth. The Governor continues to maintain that the growth requirement is "an excuse" by the Legislature and that the salary increase funded by the Legislature this year is a one-time payment. The Legislature clearly demonstrated its commitment to the teachers this year when we funded the salary increase notwithstanding the fact that 5% growth was not attained. Education and teachers’ salaries continue to be top priorities in the House. In the upcoming year, the House fully intends to continue funding the increase awarded this year, in addition to awarding the increase slated for Fiscal Year 2003. Remember, the 5% growth provision was put in by the Senate, and if the House wants to address it at the next session I think it would be appropriate, regardless of what the Senate does.

With regard to actions that we took in funding our correctional system, the Governor has misinterpreted what was, in fact, a wise and precautionary measure. The 2001 appropriation bill for the Department of Corrections allocated certain amounts to pay for housing certain numbers of inmates at regional and private correctional facilities. This allocation was made to adequately provide for our state’s inmate population based on the facts known at the time the bill passed. However, the Legislature exercised its good judgment and placed a condition on the allocation of those funds. That condition was that the money for housing inmates at regional and private facilities would be paid unless facts became known that would allow the Legislature to lower those amounts. This reflected the Legislature’s decision to give the housing money if necessary, and to not give the money if it were found to be unnecessary. Our PEER Committee was instructed to find out what the facts were and to make those findings before July 1, 2001, when the appropriated money would become available. The PEER report that was recently released indicated that the amounts allocated for housing inmates in those facilities could be lowered substantially, allowing us to avoid costs that we initially expected. Since the Legislature had wisely placed that condition on spending the money, a sum of approximately $6 Million is now available for the Legislature to redirect to other needs.

With regard to our projected revenue growth, the Legislature disagreed with the Governor over whether to reduce the projected Fiscal Year 2002 revenue growth. Both the Governor and the Joint Legislative Budget Committee adopted a FY’02 projected growth rate of 3.7% last November, based on the recommendation of the Revenue Estimating Committee. By the close of the 2001 session, the Governor was advocating reducing that growth rate to 1%. The Legislature has publicly acknowledged that the FY’01 revenue shortfall would be in the range of $225 Million and that FY’02 revenue growth could be less than 3.7%. However, the Legislature felt that the prudent approach was to retain the consensus revenue estimate and to allow the $123 Million in existing budget safety nets to do their intended job if a revenue shortfall were to actually develop. By following this careful approach, the Legislature was able to avoid additional painful, and possibly unnecessary, cuts to public education (including teachers’ salary increases), universities, community colleges and state agencies. I remain confident that any revenue shortfall the state may face in FY’02 is within its capacity to absorb through use of the budget safety nets and limited budget cuts, if required. Remember, funding the FY’03 budget will require more cuts, and agencies asked us to give them time to prepare for the cuts.

I regret that our Governor chooses to actively criticize the legislative branch of government, rather than applying his energy to working with his former colleagues in a spirit of cooperation. Public service requires us to face unfair criticism with our strength of character, and I am very proud of each of you for withstanding those criticisms. I hope that the above information will assist you in explaining why your actions as an elected official were prudent and wise.

Please feel free to call upon me or our staff if you need any additional information, and I wish all of you a happy and safe celebration of our great country’s July 4th birthday.

Tim Ford