[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6325733,"mediaKeyId","2331929-3c32a5a06e50a039a3662f3e9747541f","parentId",2331929,"title","Appropriations subcommittee advances dozens of LBR agency budgets; approves $54 million reappropriation to transportation maintenance plan","audioSeconds",70,"startMs",3476000,"endMs",3546000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2331929-3c32a5a06e50a039a3662f3e9747541f&start=3476&end=3546","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2331929-3c32a5a06e50a039a3662f3e9747541f/thumbnail_3476000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6325733/Mississippi/Appropriations-subcommittee-advances-dozens-of-LBR-agency-budgets-approves-54-million-reappropriation-to-transportation-maintenance-plan","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6325733-fd29795d608ba8c046e7b6e782c015ab/orig.mp4?Expires=1771081256&Signature=Qv~1-ZG8pjQbpGUupn1jkGMuq~FvDZwlleo~gDjxwtDJpxJEJ-L8XcYKT8Id9OrLMuGF30DgKhVooKgGqgIojv3Wep~xUa3QLlv0vJT3ZcWsHTsVVjRt~NMY3CwtefIAKG66j35k77FMGM7N~xO~Qyn-d3N6FByY5F2M2mgE~hT7QbdHEMP7NXqdfBvA-kGVnMMpbA9DGTSbVrKU-h4HTLOhA4RtCWKKMJVQGwA0M4i0cw2Iov4P4V0JfYpr6ZvFDDMBWpL8O1Uevm4bd~HWapOTTVpvUD3Z2Si9ikQzIAh-FiaCunFyKbRmb1uqC00Z~ona7gNLwMBGxQNXjPdxkg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Mississippi Legislature","date","2025-02-18T00:00:00Z","article","The Senate appropriations subcommittee advanced a large package of agency budgets on title-sufficient, do-pass motions, largely following the Legislative Budget Recommendation (LBR) levels and treating many bills in blocks without extended debate.

Subcommittee motions covered multiple subcommittees and agencies, including higher education and agricultural programs (Senate bills 3002–3010), Department of Mental Health (SB3018 items reported in LBR), state aid and local road funding (SB3018), the Department of Public Safety (SB3016), workforce and employment programs (SB3011–3013), regulatory boards (several special-fund agencies such as pharmacy, chiropractic and dental examiners — SB3028–3030), and other agency budgets across the numbered bills in the packet. Committee chairs repeatedly said most measures were at LBR levels and contained reverse-repealer language where noted.

Two items the subcommittee highlighted specifically:

- State Aid Road/Local-State Bridge Program: The subcommittee left a prior “not to exceed $40,000,000 annually” clause in the program language and removed that ceiling this year, noting that actual expenditures will be limited by available appropriations and by a 5% diversion enacted in 2018. Committee members said future tax debates could affect the program’s final funding levels.

- Reappropriation (Senate Bill 3053): The panel approved a reappropriation bill that moves $54,000,000 of unspent COVID/ARPA or other previously appropriated funds to the Department of Transportation for a three-year maintenance plan. The subcommittee record states the transfer is from funds that other agencies said they could not spend in the current fiscal year.

Most bills in the packet were advanced by bloc motions from subcommittee chairs; committee clerks recorded voice votes with the chairs indicating “the ayes have it.” The subcommittee provided that a summary worksheet will be provided on the Senate floor and that final budget recommendations will be presented as the session proceeds.

Why it matters: Advancing multiple agency budgets on first action keeps the appropriations timetable on track and clears many items for floor debate and final action. The $54 million reappropriation to transportation maintenance shifts previously unspent funds to a high-priority infrastructure plan and could accelerate road maintenance projects if enacted.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Appropriations - Room 216, 18 February, 2025; 10:30 AM","oneSentenceSummary","The appropriations subcommittee advanced dozens of agency budgets en bloc at LBR levels and approved a $54 million reappropriation to the Department of Transportation’s three-year maintenance plan.","taxTitle","Appropriations, Senate, Committees, Legislative, Mississippi","taxId",29323,"location","Mississippi","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6325738,"Senators debate auditor’s $2 million out-of-state contract; amendment to cut special funds fails",600,2812000,3412000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2331929-3c32a5a06e50a039a3662f3e9747541f&start=2812&end=3412","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2331929-3c32a5a06e50a039a3662f3e9747541f/thumbnail_2812000.jpg","/articles/6325738/Mississippi/Senators-debate-auditors-2-million-out-of-state-contract-amendment-to-cut-special-funds-fails","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6325738-a85770835381089402c4872f904334d0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771081256&Signature=BLEXylCJilBh~A8KnA3LLQ51lOXw4Wafyn0T7Xp5zdvWImFCOd-W-BhB7cWbWLS8gtnElzsEbiNr5G81gv~EkxLCr~wgmFa300M0ZFYTaPU2WRgTnX0qfQyBFLh4m9KBFdGYHfhJZj~9s1p8wXedB4nSY~6Sn4KWo4CSQqBGASICpG542QND681UcE2Ps9ia-9A5N8Euavu7W64~SHG4nXyDgY2j-dPKwiTWkrveFE0zHLdCL-mGX~5oTGsxxVhjK1bfKa3RG1-vnjwO0Ntsw2Jx7IE5~1ZQOnHYqt~~hLiA1EaOCptaa6x4K10fDAeTBN61Oc-z32uXaiV7rYQE0w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senators debated an amendment to reduce the State Auditor’s special-fund authority by $2 million to reimburse taxpayers after the auditor’s office expended $2 million for an out-of-state report that senators said was not authorized in the agency’s appropriation language.

During subcommittee discussion, senators said the auditor’s office had already paid the $2 million last fiscal year from special funds the agency escalated on its own authority. One senator said the auditor had requested a $1 million general-fund reduction while seeking an increase of about $1,047,000 in special-fund authority in the budget request, creating a confusing net posture in the packet.

A motion to reduce the auditor’s special-fund authority by $2,000,000 was offered on the floor. Supporters said the amendment would reimburse taxpayers for money they contend was spent without legislative authorization. Opponents, including the subcommittee chair, said the committee and legislative staff were continuing to seek a legislative solution and expressed concern about the timing and effects of the cut while the bill contains a reverse-repealer provision that would send the matter to conference if passed by the chamber.

The amendment went to a voice vote and the chair announced, \"the noes have it.\" After debate concluded the auditor’s bill was advanced on a title-sufficient motion, as recorded in the hearing.

Why it matters: The exchange highlights oversight tensions about agency special-fund authority and transparency when agencies make escalations outside explicit line-item approvals. Senators said they will continue to pursue solutions, including potential statutory changes, but the immediate amendment to claw back funds failed in committee.","Senators debated a proposed $2 million reduction in the State Auditor’s special-fund authority after the auditor’s office paid $2 million for an out-of-state report that several senators said was not authorized in appropriation language; the amendment failed on a voice vote and the bills were advanced.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6325743,"Senate subcommittee advances Department of Corrections budget as senators press on rising medical-contract costs",565,976000,1541000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2331929-3c32a5a06e50a039a3662f3e9747541f&start=976&end=1541","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2331929-3c32a5a06e50a039a3662f3e9747541f/thumbnail_976000.jpg","/articles/6325743/Mississippi/Senate-subcommittee-advances-Department-of-Corrections-budget-as-senators-press-on-rising-medical-contract-costs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6325743-22043be4c321411e7233f3c3cd1d18e0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771081256&Signature=KZRSnD4UBo3X58jp0MQsVb80zC~FqUAeTkHdGppdihhJUX4~VbOkZ13udw63m7G-6XP2OGAbOyIsO7nq2jSc8GdaXGrlUcFZk80g62vqDEO5VyGvd5Ik48uPQ1hAa8jpa7DkgMz9S7r0ORiWU2BzxJRdTRI7FaTnfQIudOuQsPsUcxK6hQuBdvn4KdZiGe2goqidHSiHCh6oJcLrpW65-Dhgat-IVKPNuUyHcmu1kAbvAzxyhtDobLnak1KWchyF-yR3Xpbt59U5hLMKSdu7kcHR2kB7SKCOaf6HMhWWk4VE8pvACCIzvUNvJAFPcW14RcRXe7FPXuApLdZdsU2NYw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate appropriations subcommittee advanced Senate Bill 3031, the Department of Corrections budget for first action, which the subcommittee reported at $450,549,626 — a reduction of $12,000,520 from the prior year estimate, according to the committee packet.

Senators pressed agency representatives and subcommittee members about a recurring driver of correctional spending: a contracted medical-services agreement that officials said returned bids higher than anticipated. Committee discussion described the contract as a multi-year procurement with performance clauses; senators were told that the contract produced higher costs than previous expectations and that the appropriations request reflects that change.

Committee members sought further detail on whether the contract contains performance measures and opportunities to reduce costs. The subcommittee was told the vendor contract includes some mechanisms to recover funds, and that the contract term is relatively short to allow renegotiation when it next comes up for bid. A senator in the hearing estimated the medical contract in the range of about $128–130 million; committee members did not provide an exact line-item in the packet beyond noting contractual services had increased under the Legislative Budget Recommendation (LBR).

The floor exchange also covered longer-term questions about the state’s approach to corrections costs. Senators noted substantial, multi-year spending on DOC over the past six years and asked whether investments in facility upgrades, workforce development and reentry programs — which the subcommittee has funded in part with American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars and one-time capital improvements — will reduce recurring outlays. Subcommittee members said recent appropriations included onetime capital for locks, HVAC, generators and water/sewer work and cited workforce-development efforts inside the Department of Corrections intended to support reentry.

On the question of federal matches, senators asked whether Medicaid or waiver options could offset medical costs for the incarcerated population. Committee discussion indicated prior efforts did not secure Medicaid coverage for this population under existing legislation, but members said they are tracking opportunities for federal matches and waivers that might reduce state spending in future cycles.

Senate Bill 3031 was advanced on a title-sufficient, do-pass motion and will move toward the chamber’s floor for further action.","The appropriations subcommittee advanced Senate Bill 3031, the Department of Corrections budget, while senators pressed agency representatives about a higher-than-expected medical-services contract and the use of one-time capital funds for facility upgrades.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6325748,"Appropriations subcommittee advances deficit-appropriation bill citing lawsuits, corrections and child-placement costs",261,80000,341000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2331929-3c32a5a06e50a039a3662f3e9747541f&start=80&end=341","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2331929-3c32a5a06e50a039a3662f3e9747541f/thumbnail_80000.jpg","/articles/6325748/Mississippi/Appropriations-subcommittee-advances-deficit-appropriation-bill-citing-lawsuits-corrections-and-child-placement-costs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6325748-3f7673be1c1e12918623f00c3dc236bf/orig.mp4?Expires=1771081256&Signature=LxNunhDLQHnlXf3fRou9GMWG27rvZkH6DAAU7WSKISADxJWxybD-PQI2UjxoTlZrFIBaLOfHCm4iGXnvtCWkt7R9p8S3QEAGi5Zx11LK-uh1fct9Q~SWrNlnjHcr-y115GdUOeWiL6DNFcnS1fvRlsvsnujtwhq2LHFRz9CQONaT9XR7vzjF83FGiqKJpSpunhL55Y03niY6~2HhCqyj4LCuS-czF5MFjRyRwjf6LAPVIGXtDDUYZz4GfZwijBxG4xyIF1JWoM1GWkbVZ4xBqfiDkwcVV6a~3JrVueHjUvW00UcYvE88OWSSoXbBSXBy3oy~~f~R7w9wrdUXiuHYtw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate appropriations subcommittee advanced Senate Bill 3054, a deficit-appropriation measure that the committee chair described as the panel’s “first stab” at funding several ongoing lawsuits and program deficits, including legal claims against state agencies, corrections contract costs and child protective services placements.

The bill lists a number of specific requests and continuing obligations. Section 1 includes approximately $156,842 for the attorney general’s office broken into five items, including $6,224 to cover a Superfund-site cleanup in Gulfport and a $25,000 claim by a student at the Mississippi School for the Deaf and the Blind. Two statutory wrongful-incarceration claims of $50,000 each were also included. Other Section 1 items mentioned a Hinds County lawsuit ($25,617–$25,618 reported in the packet) and a continuing “Olivia Y” settlement obligation. The packet also shows legal expense requests tied to corrections litigation and a $75,000 IRS claim related to penalties from the Affordable Care Act implementation.

Later sections of the bill request larger sums. Section 3 shows a deficit request from the Department of Corrections for a contract related to inmate insurance and medical services, listed in the packet as roughly $4,314,000. Section 4 covers continuing legal services related to the City of Jackson water litigation; the subcommittee heard that the $4,000,000 figure for that item is for legal services. Sections 5–7 cover Child Protective Services deficits: funding for out-of-state therapeutic placements, funding to cover an increased caseload (the packet lists a figure of $3,390,000), and temporary placement expenditures for hotel placements and sitter costs (the packet lists $3,988,000).

Senators asked clarifying questions about the nature of some costs. One senator asked whether the $4,000,000 in Section 4 was for “actual hard cost expenses for services” or for legal services; the chair confirmed it was legal services and noted the volume of documents and claims underlying the litigation. On the corrections-related contract sums, senators asked about justification and whether the Department of Corrections had presented plans to curb rising medical expenses. The chair said the amount reflected bids that came back higher than anticipated when the agency reprocured services and that performance clauses and some recovery mechanisms are part of the current contract.

The committee advanced the bill on a voice vote after the explanation and questions; the motion was described in the record as title-sufficient, and the chair announced the ayes had it.

Why it matters: The deficit bill seeks to cover court-ordered or settlement obligations and contract shortfalls that the state must pay from available appropriations. If passed by the full Senate and the House and signed into law, the requested amounts would affect the final year-end spending plan and could influence how agencies prioritize legal and contractual risk management going forward.

The subcommittee chair said a more complete budget recommendation will be presented on the floor before the session concludes.","A Senate appropriations subcommittee advanced Senate Bill 3054, a deficit-appropriation bill that lists several continuing and newly claimed legal obligations, corrections-related contract costs and child placement expenditures; senators questioned several line items during the hearing.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Appropriations subcommittee advances dozens of LBR agency budgets; approves $54 million reappropriation to transportation maintenance plan

Senators debate auditor’s $2 million out-of-state contract; amendment to cut special funds fails

Senate subcommittee advances Department of Corrections budget as senators press on rising medical-contract costs

Appropriations subcommittee advances deficit-appropriation bill citing lawsuits, corrections and child-placement costs