The Mississippi Legislature convened its 2010 regular session at noon Tuesday at the state Capitol. Legislators will face an unusually difficult task as they attempt to craft a state budget with significantly reduced revenue.

It is likely that, in the first weeks of the session legislators will have to decide whether and how to deal with lower-than-expected revenues for the current budget year. The governor has indicated that he will request authority to make cuts beyond those currently allowed in statute. We will follow legislation that addresses the budgets for Fiscal Years 2010 and 2011.

We at The Parents’ Campaign are grateful to the women and men who serve in our legislature. Theirs is never an easy task, and this year promises to be especially challenging. We look forward to working with them to ensure that the legislation they pass enables a public education system in which all of our children have access to excellent schools. Even in difficult times, education should be a top priority, and we expect the state budget and all related legislation to reflect that priority.

Nancy Loome

The Parents’ Campaign

Jackson