Although the final numbers are still being crunched after lawmakers passed a $23 billion budget, it appears that the Missouri General Assembly wants to spend millions more than proposed by Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon.
The legislature, controlled by Republicans, passed a $23.365 billion budget Thursday, $132 million more than proposed in January by Nixon, a Democrat.
Most of the increase is in “other” funds and the governor’s budget office is still analyzing it, said Missouri Budget Director Linda Luebbering.
“I would be hesitant to suggest that is a real increase without knowing the specifics,” Luebbering told Missouri Watchdog, noting that her office is still trying to figure out why the “other” funds are higher.
Lawmakers finished up the budget and sent it to the governor a day before the constitutional deadline.
The 13 bills that make up the state spending plan sailed through final approval by lawmakers with little opposition, less than 16 hours after budget conferees broke an impasse over conflicting versions of the budget.
The final budget includes a $10 million increase over the governor’s recommendation for education transportation, restores more than 1 percent of a 7 percent cut in higher education funding, fully funds the Missouri RX prescription program and provides money for independent living centers in Missouri.
The spending plan also includes restrictions on the governor’s travel, limiting him to a $200,000 travel budget within his own office. The governor received criticism earlier this year after it was revealed it cost nearly $400,000 to fly him around the state during his first two years in office, with different state agencies picking up the tab.
The budget total is likely to change. The governor may object to one or more items, or portions of items, of appropriations in any bill sent to him, while approving other portions, according to the Missouri Constitution.
If the governor brings the budget down to his proposal of $23.3 billion, spending will drop by 2.5 percent for fiscal 2012, starting July 1. Total spending for the current fiscal year, ending June 30, is expected to hit $23.8 billion.
While many analysts of the state budget continue to focus on general revenue, analysis by Missouri Watchdog earlier this year of the state’s financial reports, covering the last five fiscal years, shows total state spending increased by 20.4 percent.
State spending for fiscal 2010, ending June 30, totaled $23.6 billion, according to the audited Comprehensive Annual Financial Report released in late January.
