The $342 million shortfall predicted is causing no worries to The Commissioner of Administration.
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The $342 million shortfall predicted is causing no worries to The Commissioner of Administration.

Date: December 5, 2008
By: Christine Slusser
State Capitol Bureau

Intro: The Commissioner of Administration disagrees with transition director Wayne Goode's budget shortfall estimate, saying his own prediction shows less of a deficit.

Christine Slusser has more from the state Capitol.

RunTime:0:40
OutCue: SOC

A predicted shortfall of $342 million does not scare Commissioner of Administration Larry Schepker because he says the economy can change.

Schepker says it is impossible to make assumptions for the next fiscal year because the economy is too unpredictable, especially since the problems on Wall Street arose.

Actuality:  SHEP1.WAV
Run Time: 00:13
Description: "The assumptions we're making now are that the revenue stays the same and spending stays the same - neither of those will be the case. I predict revenues could drop slightly, they could recover depending on what kind of holiday season we have..."

Governor-elect Jay Nixon has announced several initial steps he will implement to help balance the state budget.

From the state Capitol, I'm Christine Slusser.

Intro: Missouri's Department of Conservation is feeling the heat from the economy, especially after Governor-elect Jay Nixon announced all departments will have to submit proposals on how to cut spending.

Christine Slusser has more from the state Capitol.

RunTime:0:38
OutCue: SOC

Governor-elect Jay Nixon's transition director Wayne Goode estimated a $342 million shortfall for Missouri's current fiscal year.

Some agency leaders like the Department of Conservation's Financial Services Chief, Roger Luebbert, are already looking to make some cuts.

Actuality:  LUEB1.WAV
Run Time: 00:14
Description: "We will go through an exercise very similar to the rest of the departments. We will be looking at positions, we'll be looking at vacant positions and we'll be looking at all expenditures to see which ones can be delayed or not done at all."

Commissioner of Administration, Larry Schepker says he is not so sure all the worry is necessary.

From the state Capitol, I'm Christine Slusser.