Governor Phil Bryant has released his budget recommendations for 2020. The Governor outlined his budget priorities in the report and at the top of the list is increasing the funding for public safety, protecting the state’s retirement system, as well as a proposed pay raise for public school teachers.
The teacher pay raise would cost the state $50 million and would be spread out over two years. Bryant said the state’s revenue is expected to increase by 2.6% and he has recommended putting away 2% of that into the Rainy Day Fund.
“It has been a historic year in Mississippi, and the future looks bright,” said Governor Bryant. “What we have accomplished economically is a success, and economic development, job growth, and revenue have all taken a step in the right direction. This Executive Budget Recommendation highlights the needs in our state to keep our citizens and our communities both safe and prosperous. It will enhance our educational institutions, continue to reform our corrections and criminal justice systems and increase the protection of our foster children. Now is the time to work together and ensure these recommendations are properly implemented.”
There were also recommendations to raise the pay for Mississippi Department of Corrections officers which would bring their salaries on par with other states in the region. Additional mental health spending, and funding for higher education scholarships, as well as, $26 million for the state’s foster care system and another trooper school.
“All of this has been made possible by the state’s budget growing by over $100 million due to conservative, fiscal policies that have grown revenue and filled our state savings accounts to near historic levels,” said Bryant.
