Ellington

Mississippi Legislators are on their way back to Jackson to begin the extended 2009 session that kicks off tomorrow. Topic No. 1 on the agenda is the state's budget for 2010.

Gov. Haley Barbour is calling for "balanced, conservative budgeting" from the lawmakers. The state is dealing with revenue shortfalls beyond expectations, and the governor said that further cuts may be necessary.

"Across the board, economic trends are running against us," Barbour said in a May 1 statement. "Actual revenue collections are falling far short of even very recent revenue estimates. Budgets based on these estimates may have to be cut further."

Tax collections in April were $40 million less than expectations for the month, and Barbour anticipates a $400 million budget shortfall for the current fiscal year.