Legislative Power Weakened

Abstract

This chapter explains how legislative power was weakened after the courts agreed with Attorney General Bill Allain that it was unconstitutional for legislators to serve on executive boards and commissions. This chapter discusses the most important separation of powers case in the state’s history, Alexander v. State of Mississippi by and Through Allain (1983). The court decision in the Alexander case resulted in the passage of the Mississippi Administrative Reorganization Act of 1984, which created a new budget making process. The reorganization act created the Joint Legislative Budget Committee (JLBC) and the Fiscal Management Board (FMB).