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Lawmakers Attempt to Extend Session

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Rep. Cecil Brown, D-Jackson, warns that cuts mandated by Gov. Barbour's budget means stiff cuts to education and possible property tax increases.

Tempers have flared at the Mississippi capitol over the past two days as House members attempted to pass a resolution extending the legislative session. Democratic legislators in support of the extension want to wait to see if Congress approves another $187 million in Medicaid funds, reports The Commercial Appeal.

Although House Democrats are still short of the necessary two-thirds majority to pass the session extension beyond the statutory April 3 end date, they will probably bring the resolution up for another vote today. Congress will probably not move on the appropriation until after the two-week Easter recess that begins tomorrow, the paper states, adding:

The extra Medicaid funds would free up $187 million that legislators could use to stem the flow of spending reductions in the 2011 budget they are trying to resolve before they adjourn for the year.

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