JACKSON -- Gov. Haley Barbour says if the House and Senate leadership agree with him on a Medicaid compromise, which includes a tax increase on hospitals, it will not have any trouble passing during the current special session or in one called in coming days.
House Speaker Billy McCoy, D-Rienzi, and his leadership team have complained that they cannot make Barbour a promise that there will not be successful efforts by any of the 174 legislators to change an agreement.
What has happened thus far with Babour's proposal to increase the tax on smaller cigarette companies that did not participate in a lawsuit settlement with the state should point out why McCoy does not want to make promises.
The cigarette tax proposal has run into stiff opposition in the legislative process during the current special session -- primarily from members of Barbour's own Republican Party. Versions of the legislation already have been killed during the special session.
McCoy, Lt. Gov. Phil Bryant and key Hosue and Senate negotiators were all on board with Barbour on the cigarette tax increase, and it probably will ultimately pass, but its success is not yet certain.
Meanwhile, the governor has added legislation to fund almost all state agencies, including public education, to the special session agenda. The one item not yet on the agenda is Medicaid, which provides health care for the elderly, disabled and poor pregnant women and children.
The new fiscal year begins Wednesday so time is running short.