Temporarily Enhanced Executive Influence over Budget Decisions under Mabus

Abstract

This chapter discusses budget power that was briefly enhanced under Governor Ray Mabus at the beginning of his administration. It shows how Mabus fended off an attempt by the legislature to weaken executive budget authority by vetoing S.B. 2214. Chapter 4 explains how Mabus worked with the legislature to abolish the Fiscal Management Board and replace it with the Department of Finance and Administration (DFA). This chapter also looks at the efforts made by Mabus to get more funding for public education, more specifically, funding for Mississippi’s B.E.S.T. (Better Education for Success Tomorrow) program.