Jackson Free Press

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.