Post by Logan on Jun 20, 2016 3:39:18 GMT -6
Attorney General Jim Hood says in newly issued opinions that the Legislature cannot legally "sweep" some special funds collected by state agencies — including his own — into the state's main account to plug holes in next year's budget.
But Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves' office says Hood is just trying to protect his office's "off-budget" spending and that the elimination of many agencies' special funds collections and accounts will provide more transparency and accountability for taxpayers.
State agency directors, some still working to determine exactly how badly their budgets will be cut for the fiscal year that begins July 1, may have to choose whether they'll follow the advice of Hood or legislative leaders. Hood's advice doesn't carry weight of law, but it provides legal cover for agencies that follow it. But lawmakers set the state budget.
If the special fund sweep doesn't net the $188 million lawmakers banked on when setting fiscal 2017 spending, a budget hole of at least $56 million — from a legislative accounting error — could grow. The current year budget isn't out of the woods yet, either. Recurring revenue for this fiscal year is nearly $206 million below the estimate used to set the budget, and Gov. Phil Bryant may be forced to call a special session before the end of June to tap into rainy day reserves for the third time for fiscal 2016.
Read more: www.clarionledger.com/story/news/politics/2016/06/15/hood-budget-opinions/85927636/
But Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves' office says Hood is just trying to protect his office's "off-budget" spending and that the elimination of many agencies' special funds collections and accounts will provide more transparency and accountability for taxpayers.
State agency directors, some still working to determine exactly how badly their budgets will be cut for the fiscal year that begins July 1, may have to choose whether they'll follow the advice of Hood or legislative leaders. Hood's advice doesn't carry weight of law, but it provides legal cover for agencies that follow it. But lawmakers set the state budget.
If the special fund sweep doesn't net the $188 million lawmakers banked on when setting fiscal 2017 spending, a budget hole of at least $56 million — from a legislative accounting error — could grow. The current year budget isn't out of the woods yet, either. Recurring revenue for this fiscal year is nearly $206 million below the estimate used to set the budget, and Gov. Phil Bryant may be forced to call a special session before the end of June to tap into rainy day reserves for the third time for fiscal 2016.
Read more: www.clarionledger.com/story/news/politics/2016/06/15/hood-budget-opinions/85927636/