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Holden declares state economic emergency

March 4, 2002
By: Sara Lane
State Capital Bureau

The governor says he would consider calling a special session to balance the state budget.

Sara Lane has more from Jefferson City.

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Asked what he would do if the legislature sent him an unbalanced budget, Holden said he has two options.

Actuality:Holden1
RunTime: :05
OutCue: "...get it balanced."
Contents: Holden says he would have to balance the budget or call a special session to balance the budget.

Asked later if he would call a special session to balance the budget, Holden would not committ.

Actuality:Holden3
RunTime: :16
OutCue: "...in this session."
Contents: Holden says the legislature shouldn't spend state money to hold a special session and that he will work with the legislature to finish the budget this session.

So while it's unclear whether Holden would use a special legislative session to balance the budget, he has at least said it's an option.

In Jefferson City, Sara Lane.

Governor Holden declares Missouri is in an economic emergency, allowing the state to use it's emergency reserve fund.

Sara Lane has more in Jefferson City.

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Using the emergency fund is part of Holden's plan to balance the budget.

But use of the fund has to be approved by two-thirds of the state house and senate.

That's a vote Holden says he doesn't have.

Actuality:Holden5
RunTime: :14
OutCue: "...vote is taken."
Contents: Holden says he does not have the votes yet because people are just starting to look at it. But, he says he will have two-thirds when the vote is taken.

Republican Representative Carl Bearden from St. Charles says raiding the Rainy Day Fund does not solve the state's major budget problem.

He says that's overspending.

In Jefferson City, Sara Lane.

Governor Holden holds a press conference to promote a plan he says doesn't have the votes to pass.

Sara Lane has more from the Capitol.

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Holden had live satellite feeds, his own photographer, and even threatened to call a special legislative session this summer, all to pressure legislators into using state emergency money to balance the budget.

But using the Rainy Day Fund would require a two-thirds majority vote Holden admits he doesn't have.

Actuality:Holden5
RunTime: :11
OutCue: "...the vote's taken."
Contents: Holden says he doesn't have the votes right now because people are just starting to look at it. He says he will have the support when the vote is taken.

House Republican Whip Charlie Shields says the Rainy Day Fund was intended for a real disaster, not to bail to state out of a recession.

In Jefferson City, Sara Lane.