For the first time in nearly a year, state revenue collections exceeded the estimate, bringing a bright spot on an otherwise sluggish record that resulted in significant budget cuts across various state departments. But state leaders – rightfully so – are cautiously optimistic that a spike in one month’s collections will result in continued growth for the remaining months in the fiscal year. Collections for the month of March were $52.4 million or 12.5 percent above the official estimate, according to information provided by the Mississippi Department of Revenue.