Barbour calling special session over museums

JACKSON — Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour says he’ll call a special session within the regular legislative next week so the House and Senate can quickly consider funding for a civil rights museum and a comprehensive state history museum.

The two projects have stalled during the regular session, and Barbour said today that he thinks it will be faster for lawmakers to start fresh in a special session.

He says the museums should be built with state money, then private money should be raised to help provide artifacts to put in the museums.

House and Senate negotiators reached a deal late yesterday on a nearly $5.5-billion budget for the year that begins July 1. The two chambers are expected to consider dozens of budget bills in the next few days.

In a statement, Barbour said, “The Legislature will be returning on Monday to complete the budget. While they are here, I will call a special session for the Legislature to consider funding the Civil Rights Museum and Museum of Mississippi History.

“These museums will enhance Mississippi’s image and play a critical role in education and tourism.”

Source: Associated Press; Governor’s Office

One Response to “Barbour calling special session over museums”

1. william Says:
   April 4th, 2011 at 6:41 am

   they just cut education spending mental health spending now they want to build somev v stupid museum when they could use the money on the stuff they cut some dumb folks up there and barbour will not gety elected pres