MDN.ORG:
Missouri Digital News
MDN.ORG
Mo. Digital News
Missouri Digital News
MDN.ORG:
Mo. Digital News
MDN.ORG:
Missouri Digital News
MDN.ORG:
Missouri Digital News
MDN.ORG
Mo. Digital News
Missouri Digital News
MDN.ORG:
Mo. Digital News
MDN.ORG:
Missouri Digital News
Missouri's House has rejected using the state's budget reserve fund to cover shortfalls in this year's budget.
All but 7 Republicans in the House voted against the idea to use rainy day fund money.
With less than 24 hours before the deadline to send the budget to the governor, House Speaker Jim Kreider and Senate Appropriations Chair John Russell say the two houses will meet this morning to work on the budget.
But Kreider says the constitutional clock will probably run out:
Republican leader Catherine Hanaway maintains that the state should not go into debt in return for quick cash.
But Governor Holden says without money in the state's bank, he may have to lay off workers or delay payments to schools.
In Jefferson City, Johnathan Woodward for Missouri Capital Caucus.
The Missouri House came up short on votes for the Governor's fix for getting cash into the state's wallet.
The plan to use Rainy Day Fund money as a solution to this year's shortfall was 15 votes shy of the two-thirds majority needed for approval in the House.
Missouri's Constitution says the 2003 budget must be on the governor's desk by 6 p-m today.
But with the Rainy Day Fund out of the picture, Senate Appropriations Chair John Russell says the first step is for the House and Senate to confer on the budget this morning:
Both Russell and House Speaker Jim Kreider say it's unlikely the budget will make the deadline, meaning that a special session could be unavoidable.
Meanwhile, Governor Holden says without Rainy Day money in the state's hands, he may have to lay off state employees.
In Jefferson City, Johnathan Woodward, for Missouri Capital Caucus.
Republicans opposed to using Rainy Day Fund money came out victorious in the Missouri House.
Governor Holden's plan was to use money from the state's budget reserves to patch holes in this year's budget.
But House Republicans, led by Catherine Hanaway, had the final word in the matter. The plan fell 15 votes shy of the two-thirds majority needed for approval.
Only 7 Republicans voted for the bill.
Hanaway says House Republicans won't let the state go into debt in return for quick cash:
But Governor Holden says without that money in the state's pocket, he may have to lay off state employees.
And with the 2003 budget facing a deadline at 6 PM today, leaders from both houses say a special session could be unavoidable.
In Jefferson City, Johnathan Woodward.
Governor Holden's plan to use reserve funds for extra cash this year has failed, and the Governor says time is running out.
The governor's plan fell 15 votes shy of the 2/3 majority needed to pass the House.
With the 2003 budget facing a deadline at 6 PM today, House and Senate leaders say they'll make a last-ditch attempt at passing a budget this morning.
But Governor Holden says without Rainy Day money in the state's hands now, a special session might be unavoidable:
But House Republicans say it's irresponsible to go into debt i return for quick cash, and that the governor needs to cut spending to balance the books.
In Jefferson City, Johnathan Woodward.