The Mississippi Legislature plans to tighten the reins on the state highway department after mismanaged time and money has put the state’s four-lane highway program behind schedule.

Speaking to members of the Natchez-Adams County Chamber of Commerce Monday, Sen. Bob Dearing, D-Natchez, said a PEER committee report released in November criticizing the highway department made lawmakers take notice of the the department’s management practices.

&uot;Through the years the state highway department has found itself with very little oversight from the Legislature, and that’s our fault,&uot; Dearing said.

Though frustrated by broken promises from the highway department, Dearing said he is hopeful construction on U.S. 61 North between the Adams County line and Fayette will begin before the slated March start date.

&uot;I’ve got my fingers crossed there may be an announcement soon that work may begin earlier,&uot; he said.

Dearing was joined by Reps. Philip West, D-Natchez, and Andrew Ketchings, R-Natchez, who presented chamber members with their goals and predictions for the legislative session now in progress and answered questions about topics ranging from the state flag debate to improvements for Duncan Park golf course.

West said he approves of the Legislature’s decision to place the design of the state flag on a referendum, believing it to be a &uot;win-win situation&uot; for everyone regardless of outcome because it will allow the people to decide.

Fielding a question from the audience on why hold a special election for the flag when it will cost taxpayers money, Dearing said he and fellow lawmakers believe it best to &uot;get the flag debate behind us and move on with the business of governing.&uot;

Turning to local and private legislation, Dearing said he will present two separate bills dealing with building a golf course in Natchez.

One would allow the state to enter into an interlocal agreement with the city and county to build an $8 million course at Natchez State Park. The other calls for the state to let $3.5 million in bonds to improve Duncan Park Golf Course.

But gaining approval may be tough in a year when a tight budget has lawmakers looking at cuts in almost every area, Ketchings said.

&uot;The biggest problem I see is the budget,&uot; he said. While revenues are at an all time high, spending has been &uot;out of control and it’s come back to haunt us.’

And though cuts will be necessary, Ketchings and Dearing are in agreement that funding to the Mississippi Development Authority, which promotes tourism and industrial recruitment, should be protected.

&uot;I am not for cutting that grant program, because that’s what almost every community uses to market themselves,&uot; Ketchings said.