Chaos and Compromise

Dr. Pugh did a remarkable job explaining this critical issue. Every elected official needs a copy of this book to be THE source for budgeting guidance. No matter how long they have been in office or dealt with budgets, this book will take them to a new level of understanding of how public money is spent.--Governor Phil Bryant Dr. Pugh has successfully intertwined the story of how Mississippi state government budgets are born with the historical human-interest stories that make them relevant. He worked countless hours to make sure the story was accurate, even though much of the negotiating in the budget process is done behind closed doors! Students of Mississippi politics should treasure this piece of recorded history.--Laura Jackson, chief financial officer at Mississippi College, former state fiscal officer, former executive director of the Mississippi Department of Finance and Administration In Chaos and Compromise, Dr. Brian Pugh has examined the arcane history and complicated intricacies of Mississippi's state budget process. Relying on his hands-on experience both in the Mississippi governor's office and with the legislative budget staff, Pugh traces the legislative and political histories of the budget process using real-life examples to illustrate his points. Of particular interest are his descriptions of the natural tensions that often exist between the legislative and executive branches of government as they struggle to allocate scarce resources among competing public needs. In doing so, he has rendered an invaluable service to historians, elected officials, and students of Mississippi government.--Cecil Brown, former executive director of the Mississippi Department of Finance and Administration, former member of the Mississippi House of Representatives, former Mississippi public service commissioner