When state lawmakers convene next month, they will be dealingwith a variety of post-Katrina issues as well as other projectsthat were in the works before the hurricane hit the state inAugust, District 92 Rep. Dr. Jim Barnett said Wednesday.

The 2006 session begins Jan. 3.

Speaking to the Brookhaven Kiwanis Club, Barnett touched onseveral projects facing the state. He placed the projects in thecategories of “BK,” as in Before Katrina,” and “AK,” for AfterKatrina.

“You can’t talk about one without talking about the other,”Barnett said.

Among BK issues that will be on the table during the session,Barnett touted several projects being supported by Gov. HaleyBarbour.

On that list is a revamping of the Mississippi AdequateEducation Program (MAEP) funding formula for schools. The program,implemented in 1997, was designed to provide funding to allow allschools to provide basic education, but some believe the fundingformula is now out of date.

“There are problems with MAEP, and we’re going to try to correctthose problems,” said Barnett, although he did not elaborate.

Barnett cited a need for more funding for community colleges andinstitutions of higher learning. He also predicted controversy overa north Mississippi economic development project.

“I think we’re in for a real fight on that,” Barnett said.

The Wellspring project involves three counties asking for statebond revenue help to purchase industrial land, although no businessor industry has committed to locating there. Barnett said hewouldn’t support the project unless there is an industry commitmentfirst.

The lawmaker pointed out Brookhaven and Lincoln County newbusiness park efforts that have not sought state funding help.

“We’re building our own industrial park,” Barnett said.

Shifting to After Katrina issues, Barnett lamented thedevastation the storm caused.

“I’ve been to war-devastated places, but I haven’t seendestruction like this,” Barnett said.

To aid in recovery, Barnett said state agencies have asked for$5 billion for post-Katrina construction projects, including $1.8billion for the Department of Education and $720 million for theMississippi Department of Transportation. Those requests are on topof millions of dollars in increases for operational expenses.

“Asking for something and getting can be two different things,”said Barnett, indicating that some of the additional fundingrequests may not be granted.

Barnett said Mississippi’s recovery would also depend to a greatextent on federal assistance. He mentioned efforts by U.S. Sens.Thad Cochran and Trent and Barbour to secure $29 billion in federalhelp.

“We’re banking heavily on Sen. Cochran, Sen. Lott and Gov.Barbour,” Barnett said.

Following some controversy over oil drilling in the AlaskaNational Wildlife Refuge, the U.S. Senate Wednesday approved adefense bill that includes the $29 billion in Hurricane Katrinarelief. The measure must go back to the House for approval.

“I think Mississippi is going to come back really strong becauseof its people,” an optimistic Barnett said about recovery.

Also Wednesday, the lawmaker was quizzed about several educationtopics.

One question followed up comments last week from State AuditorPhil Bryant suggesting consolidation of school districts’administrative services is warranted. Barnett concurred, saying heis a proponent of consolidation.

“It’s just ridiculous the amount of money spent on schooladministration,” Barnett said.

Barnett was also hopeful regarding continued operation of theMississippi School of the Arts. Now in its third year, the schoolshould be all right in the area of funding, he said.

“I think they’ve made a real impression on the state,” Barnettsaid.