May 6, 2009
GOVERNOR BARBOUR CALLS A SPECIAL SESSION TO ADDRESS EMINENT DOMAIN AND OTHER ISSUES
Governor Haley Barbour has called a Special Session for 9 a.m. Thursday to address protecting private property rights and preserving job creation through eminent domain legislation. Other issues also are on the call.

May 6, 2009
GOVERNOR BARBOUR PRESENTS MODIFIED FY 2010 BUDGET TO STATE LEGISLATORS
Governor Haley Barbour presented legislators with an austere modified Executive Budget Recommendation for Fiscal Year 2010 that expects revenues to continue to fall below expectations as the global recession persists.

May 1, 2009

GOVERNOR BARBOUR SAYS STATE BUDGETING WILL TAKE ‘TOUGH DECISIONS’

Governor Haley Barbour today called for balanced, conservative budgeting when the Legislature resumes the regular session on May 6.

April 30, 2009
STATEMENT OF GOVERNOR HALEY BARBOUR ON CONTINUING SHORTFALL IN REVENUE COLLECTIONS
“State tax collections in April were much lower than anticipated. Tax revenue was $40 million less than the already reduced expectation for the month; that means Mississippi is likely facing a total budget shortfall of $400 million or more for this fiscal year alone.

April 30, 2009
GOVERNOR BARBOUR SETS HOUSE SPECIAL ELECTION DATE FOR JUNE 9
Governor Haley Barbour has called a special election for June 9, 2009, to fill a vacancy in the state House of Representatives due to the recent death of State Representative Charles Young Sr. The special election will be held in House District 82, which covers part of Lauderdale County. The qualifying deadline for the election will be May 10, 2009. If a runoff is necessary, it will be held June 30, 2009.

April 29, 2009
STATEMENT OF GOVERNOR BARBOUR ON THE PASSING OF REP. CHARLES YOUNG
“Charles Young was an absolute gentleman. Everyone who worked with him thought so, including Marsha and me. We will miss him.”

April 28, 2009
STATEMENT OF GOVERNOR BARBOUR ON APPROVAL OF $321 MILLION EDUCATION SPENDING PLAN
Governor Haley Barbour was advised today the U.S. Department of Education approved Mississippi’s plan to spend $321 million on education needs from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

April 21, 2009
GOVERNOR BARBOUR SEEKS PUBLIC INPUT ON EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING FUNDS
Governor Haley Barbour is seeking public input on innovative ways to use a portion of Mississippi’s workforce dollars through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

April 17, 2009
GOVERNOR BARBOUR SEEKS BEST PRACTICE ENERGY IDEAS
Governor Haley Barbour announced today he is seeking one- to two-page proposals for preliminary project ideas through the Mississippi Development Authority (MDA) to increase energy efficiency and conservation, reduce energy costs for consumers, businesses and government, create Mississippi jobs and help transform the state’s economy.

April 17, 2009

GOVERNOR BARBOUR ANNOUNCES MISSISSIPPI'S SEMIFINALISTS FOR PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLARS PROGRAM
Governor Haley Barbour announced today the inclusion of seven Mississippians among the semifinalists in the 2009 Presidential Scholars Program.

April 15, 2009
GOVERNOR BARBOUR’S MISSISSIPPI STIMULUS SUMMIT WILL BE THURSDAY IN JACKSON
Governor Haley Barbour has invited state agency heads, legislators and local government officials as well as the public to participate in a Mississippi Stimulus Summit on Thursday, April 16, 2009. The summit is scheduled from 2-4 p.m. at the Jackson Convention Complex following the annual meeting of the Mississippi Economic Council; no reservations are necessary.

April 15, 2009
GOVERNOR BARBOUR ANNOUNCES COMPETITION FOR BROADBAND GRANTS
Governor Haley Barbour announced today a competitive application process for broadband recovery funds through the federal stimulus package.

April 15, 2009
STATEMENT OF GOVERNOR HALEY BARBOUR ON PRELIMINARY FISCAL CALCULATIONS
“The preliminary figures I shared with the legislative leadership today are based on a least-change model that would make the fewest and smallest cuts for departments and agencies allowed under the stimulus rules as we understand them. I cautioned the leadership that these calculations are still subject to approval by the federal government in certain areas; in addition, these figures assume restoration of the $90 million hospital tax and a tax increase of 42 cents per pack on cigarettes, making a total state tax of 60 cents per pack. I hope the Legislature will also enact tax increases on smokeless tobacco products and non-participating cigarette companies.”

April 15, 2009
GOVERNOR BARBOUR ANNOUNCES 162 PUBLIC HOUSING UNITS TO OPEN IN BILOXI
The Mississippi Development Authority’s Public Housing Grant Program - funded through Mississippi’s $5.4 billion federally provided Hurricane Katrina recovery package - is helping make more than 600 public housing units available during the next three months.

April 13, 2009
GOVERNOR BARBOUR, MOMENTUM WIRED LAUNCH “MAKE THINGS HAPPEN” CAMPAIGN
Governor Haley Barbour today announced the launching of “Make Things Happen,” a media campaign designed to increase public awareness about exciting and well paying career opportunities in the advanced metalworking industry, particularly in South Mississippi and the Gulf Coast regions. The campaign will target individuals interested in careers in welding, pipefitting, and machining.