Mississippi government employees could temporarily lose civil-service job protection if some lawmakers get their way. The Senate Appropriations Committee voted 13-10 Thursday for a bill that would make it easier for many state agencies to fire workers for two years. The bill also would let state ...

The Senate Appropriations Committee has approved a bill that gives the Mississippi governor more flexibility to make budget cuts. The measure approved Monday would allow Gov. Haley Barbour to cut any agency he chose up to 10 percent until June 30, 2011. Current state law says ...

Missouri lawmakers begin laying the groundwork this week for what's expected to be a difficult budget process. The Senate Appropriations Committee is to hear public testimony Monday and Tuesday on spending for education, public safety, social services and various other government programs. The House appropriations committee for economic ...