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Gov. Haley Barbour, left, confronts House Democratic leaders, Education Committee Chairman Cecil Brown of Jackson, Miss., right, Appropriations Committee Chairman Johnny Stringer of Montrose, second from right and Speaker Pro-Tem J.P. Compretta of Bay St. Louis, outside the Speaker of the House's office in the Capitol, last Tuesday over the House's attempt to extend, for one more year, a cap on salaries for the governor's staff. Senators had voted to remove the cap. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
And with the budgets for two agencies still unapproved, taxpayers likely will be paying again for lawmakers to return to the Capitol.
Legislative accounting officials estimate the costs totaled $406,895 after April 1, which is the approximate date regular sessions usually adjourn for the year. But the regular session ended in early June with no budget agreement and a three-day special session was required last week to produce a budget.
Special sessions cost more than regular sessions.
House Speaker Billy McCoy says the extended budget fight was "a terrible waste of manpower and money."
Gov. Haley Barbour will call a special session of the Legislature to work out a budget for the Mississippi Public Service Commission, according to an area legislator.
State Rep. Brian Aldridge, R-Tupelo, on Saturday said the session will be scheduled for 10 a.m. on Friday.
"There's absolutely no reason it should last too long," Aldridge said. Barbour’s office hasn’t officially announced the special session.
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