I broke the story this weekend...while anchoring, too...of state leaders reaching a tentative budget deal. With about a week to go til the fiscal year ends, they're under a lot of pressure to get it done quick. It's not over yet, but Saturday was a major breakthrough going forward.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Fiery Friday Frustration on Budget
Mississippi's budget battle rolls on. After major progress all week, frutrations mounted again Friday. Check out some pretty fiery, emotional interviews. To hear more of negotiators and the Governor sounding off...click here.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
ON-AIR VIDEO: Hospitals Hurting Amid Budget Delays
Mississippi lawmakers still haven't figured out a budget and now hospitals are hurting. I break down how delays in passing an '09 budget impact health care. Check it out in my latest story.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
ON-AIR VIDEO: Budget Negotiators Make Major Concessions
In the third of my Budget Countdown stories...budget negotiators on both the House and Senate sides of the Mississippi Legislature have made major concessions. Once they got the right numbers reported to them, the two sides realized they're closer to agreeing than they thought. See more Budget Countdown below. This is one of three brand new stories.
ON-AIR VIDEO: Budget Delays Impacting State Paydays
In the midst of Mississippi's budget delays, state employees wonder whether they'll get paid in time or if they'll have jobs at all. In his first ever interview, I sit down with the man who cuts state checks. Check it out. It's part of my ongoing "Budget Countdown" til the July 1 deadline for lawmakers to pass a budget before the new fiscal year starts and government could shut down.
ON-AIR VIDEO: State Leaders Close to Budget Deal
This is the start of my FOX 40 News Budget Countdown. We're counting down the days til the all important July 1st budget deadline. If state leaders don't reach a deal by then...the new fiscal year starts with no money for the state to run! The consequences would be dire. Over the next few weeks I'll be doing budget related stories almost every day until a budget passes. Check them out here. I also have a special "Budget Battle" section on our station website at www.fox40now.com. There are exclusive full length, web only videos there as well. Go to the home page and click on the "Budget Battle" tab or just click here.
Saturday, June 6, 2009
ON-AIR VIDEO: Budget Delay Could Lead to Car Tag Hike
Exactly what we need during these tough times...the cost of car tags could go up thanks to budget dealys in the Mississippi Legislature. Mississippi already has one of the highest ad-valorem taxes in the nation and now it could get even worse. See my latest story to see why.
Friday, June 5, 2009
ON-AIR VIDEO: Matt Johnson Questions Governor on Budget Holdup
Check out my montage of tough questions on Governor Haley Barbour. Yes...the same Governor I did the plane story on. Now questioning him on a budget holdup. I'm not exactly making friends, but that comes with the job. Someone has to hold our leaders accountable!
ON-AIR VIDEO: Lawmakers Battle Over Budget Late Into the Night
This is a new technological phenomenon in the business--and also a lazy way of doing something live. We can go live via the internet on skype. It's webcam over the internet that is live through the phone. It's complicated, but it works. Right now we still don't have the ability to be actually live...so this is the second best option. It's lower quality video and sound, but it works. This is a compilation of my work from the capitol Wednesday night as budget negotiators failed to reach a compromise on state spending. I ended up working til 1:30 a.m. Midnight was the deadline to pass a budget and the Legislature didn't do it...as far as what that means for taxpayers...see my next story below. You'll also see me questioning state leaders.
ON-AIR VIDEO: FOX 40 News Questions Governor Over Budget Holdup
Mississippi lawmakers failed to reach a state budget compromise before the deadline at midnight Wednesday night. The result...a costly special session Mississippi can't afford. I questioned the governor on the holdup in a complex...but interesting story. State employees and teachers are worried they won't have jobs. Its less than a month now before the fiscal year starts and no budget. Check it out and let me know what you think.
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