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Democratic lawmakers made the case Tuesday that there are two causes for Mississippis budget woes: the first a struggling economy, the other, tax cuts and lots of them. Wochit

Mississippi State Capitol(Photo: File photo/The Clarion-Ledger)

Democratic lawmakers made the case Tuesday that there are two causes for Mississippis budget woes: the first a struggling economy, the other, tax cuts and lots of them.

In recent years, the Legislature has doled out some 43 tax cuts or breaks, nearly half of which were for sales taxes.

During a news conference at the Capitol, leaders of Mississippis Black and Democratic Caucuses sharing figures from the state Department of Revenue. The agency estimated that corporate tax cuts had resulted in the loss of $350 million for the current fiscal year. The figure could be higher, however, as the department was not able to determine the impact for several tax credit programs.

Citing the states burdened infrastructure and underfunding of schools, Sen. Bill Stone of Holly Springs, who chairsthe Senate Democratic Caucus, postured, we dont have enough money to fund the core and basic functions of government.

SEE ALSO: MS tax cutswhat do we really know about them?

"At the end of the day, we are rearranging chairs on a sinking ship, he said.

So far, revenue in fiscal year 2018 has not meteconomists projections, leading to three rounds of budget cuts.

The shortfall has put lawmakers in a crunch as they work to finalize the states budget in the waning weeks of the session. Many of the states agencies are likely to lose funding in the upcoming fiscal year, according to an FY 2018 Action vs FY 2017 report.

And though theres been much handwringing over the size of the revenue pie lawmakers have to divvy up, Senate Democratic Caucus Chairman David Baria of Bay St. Louis said the lack of acknowledgment by Republican leadership of the loss of revenue resulting from tax cuts remains the elephant in the room.

He pointed out that the House has passed tax breaks this session.

One of those proposals, House Bill 1601, is on its way to the governor. On Tuesday, senators approved the measure, which would give certain tax exemptionsto first-time homebuyers.

The states largest tax cut, a more than $415 million package that includes the phasing out of Mississippis corporate franchise tax, is set to start in 2018.

Baria said the caucuses will champion the postponement of the cuts through talks with legislative leadership. The likelihood is slim the efforts would secure the blessing of House Speaker Philip Gunn, R-Clinton, or Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves.

"Legislative leadership will not allow input on the budget process," Democrats said in a news release.

"Democrats in Mississippi are trying to impress their liberal counterparts in D.C. by fighting for higher taxes and bigger government, while my Republican colleagues and I work to lower taxpayers' burden and reduce the overall size of government," Reeves said in a statement Tuesday. "Republicans believe individuals know best how to spend their money more than any government agency ever will."

Still, the party is ready to push for a delay, possibly through the use of amendments.

Legislators are crafting a more than $6 billion budget for fiscal year 2018. Wednesday is the deadline for lawmakers to pass revenue and appropriations bills originating in the other house.

ContactBracey Harrisat 601-961-7248 orbharris2@gannett.com.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Democrats sound alarm on Mississippi's 'financial crisis' - Jackson Clarion Ledger