JACKSON, Miss. (AP, abc24.com) - In his final Mississippi budget proposal, Republican Gov. Haley Barbour revives many recommendations he's made before, including reducing the number of school districts and merging some universities.
He also suggests spending what's left in a health care trust fund that was created before he took office.
Barbour's second term ends Jan. 10, nearly six months before fiscal 2013 begins on July 1.
He's giving his spending proposals to incoming Republican Gov. Phil Bryant and new lawmakers. They can accept or ignore Barbour's ideas as they decide how to spend state money.
The Joint Legislative Budget Committee released its recommendations this past week, with an overall state spending reduction of 2.3 percent.
Barbour recommends an average 2.9 percent cut for most state agencies.
