Associated Press - October 21, 2009 4:04 PM ET

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) - A leading Democrat on the Mississippi budget committee says the state can't afford to keep all 152 school districts and eight public universities.

Rep. George Flaggs of Vicksburg spoke Thursday during the Mississippi Economic Council's annual Hobnob at the state Agriculture Museum in Jackson. Several hundred people attended the social event hosted by the state's chamber of commerce.

Republican Gov. Haley Barbour told the crowd he believes state spending will be tight the next couple of years. He has already cut nearly $172 million from the $6 billion budget that started July 1.

Lt. Gov. Phil Bryant said the state could save up to $150,000 to $200,000 by shortening the 2010 legislative session from 90 days to 60 days.

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