Meridian lawmaker, State Rep. Greg Snowden, commented on a possible tax increase at a meeting of the council of governments Monday.

Snowden went so far as to say it will not happen.

"The budget committee has met. They have a proposed budget that we'll be considering," Snowden said. "It does not call for any general tax increase and (Haley) Barbour and (Lt. Gov. Amy Tuck) and (House Speaker Billy) McCoy are all adamant that we're not going to have one and so, that being the case, I think we're going to be living within our means."

Snowden added that neither branch of the legislature can actually do anything until members of various committees are named, something which will occur later this week.