Jackson Free Press

... especially on education cuts. The Clarion-Ledger reports today: On Tuesday, dozens of lawmakers — mostly GOP allies — gathered with Barbour to pledge support for the changes. "I'm willing to make the tough decisions ... if you'll join me and you'll let me," said Barbour, who distributed small calculators to legislators as symbols of his cost-saving intentions. The Senate has 28 co-sponsors of Barbour's legislation — more than the majority needed for passage.

But support in the House is not so apparent. McCoy of Rienzi said he won't support sharp reductions in K-12 education, including teacher layoffs, and will oppose job reductions for state workers. "Layoffs for teachers is not acceptable to us," he said.

Barbour's proposal for public education matches the recommendations of legislative budget writers. He told educators at a meeting Friday that while he hoped money could be gotten for K-12, "my priority is to keep community colleges and universities from being cut $100 million."

McCoy also favors one health insurance plan for state workers. Barbour has proposed offering options to state employees, an idea that has had many employees worried benefit costs will go up.