Mississippi legislators approve state budget cuts

Mississippi legislators approve a slightly smaller budget for the upcoming year. According to state economist Darrin Webb, Mississippi continues to lag behind the nation in economic growth. Wednesday, lawmakers estimated that the state will have $5.6 billion available to spend during fiscal 2019, which begins July 1. That is $1.5 million less than the estimate for the current year. Lawmakers will use the revenue estimate as a basis for dividing tax dollars for education, health, prisons, and other state government functions.