State of State Gov’t on July 1, If No Budget is Approved

Budget woes continue at the capitol

If the legislature fails to reach a budget agreement by Tuesday, Governor Haley Barbour says his executive authority allows him to keep essential state agencies like hospitals, law enforcement and Medicaid operational. But MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports the state’s top law enforcement officer may also play a role.

Attorney General Jim Hood says he believes the budget situation will be worked out. But if not, He says a court order may be necessary. Hood says what happened in Kentucky is an example of what could happen if the governor tries to exercise power outside of what the constitution grants him.

“Based on their supreme court decision the governor can’t just card blanche run the government. And so our constitution contemplates all of those aspects and the separation of powers will prevent any kind of overreaching attempt by the governor.”

Not having a budget this close to the deadline puts the state in uncharted territory. But according to Governor Barbour, what is legal in other states may not be the case in Mississippi.

“In every case the constitutions of the various states are unique. The federal government has a system where they pass what’s called a continuing resolution. We can’t do that cause we can’t print money. We have to have money appropriated to go forward and we don’t have such a system in Mississippi.”

Without a budget the Mississippi Hospital Association President, Sam Cameron is concerned that Medicaid, health care for the poor, may not be authorized. Cameron says that could result in pure chaos for the providers of healthcare services.

“Hospitals, physicians, long term care facilities drug stores, etc. will be providing care to former Medicaid recipients and no way to receive reimbursement for that care.”

Cameron says it could also mean six hundred thousand Medicaid beneficiaries would become liable for the cost of their care. For MPB News, I'm Lawayne Childrey.