Ellington

Andy Kanengiser of the C-L reports: "Using money from Mississippi's tobacco trust fund to avoid slashing school budgets was one of the proposals discussed Sunday at the Capitol. But the suggestion from Senate negotiators to help break a budget impasse was quickly shot down by House counterparts. Taking tobacco trust fund dollars for education needs "is just not going to happen," said House Appropriations Committee Chairman Johnny Stringer, D-Montrose, during a break in stalled budget talks shortly before 8:30 p.m. on Sunday. 'There is over $600 million in the bank,' Stringer said. And it helps Mississippi's bond rating to keep the tobacco money there, he said."