McCoy wants proof of tax benefit to modular home buyers

JACKSON, Miss. Lawmakers' are beginning a second special session of the year today (Thursday) at noon _ five weeks after the first special session which lasted three days.

Governor Haley Barbour says he hopes this session will be brief.

House Speaker Billy McCoy says Barbour needs to guarantee that consumers, rather than contractors, will benefit from his proposed tax cut on modular housing.

The sales tax reduction on modular homes from 7 to 3 percent is the sole issue in a special session.

Barbour says the tax cut could help speed up rebuilding in south Mississippi, where thousands of people are still waiting to rebuild their homes more than 13 months after Hurricane Katrina.

The governor's spokesman, Pete Smith, said buyers would see a financial benefit.