Governor Nixon announces restrictions to balance 2017 budget

Governor Jay Nixon announced actions to balance the Fiscal Year 2017 budget Wednesday morning.

Speaking at the Capitol, Nixon said he will cut more than $115 million in new or increased spending, while protecting priority areas like K-12 classrooms, higher education, and services for citizens with mental illness and developmental disorders.

In a statement to the news media, Nixon said the following:

“In order to protect our shared priorities like public education, college affordability and mental health, a number of new and expanded programs will have to be pared back or put on hold. These modest restrictions are being applied to new programs or increased spending for existing programs, so as to minimize the impact on the priorities we share: investing in our local schools, holding down college tuition, and helping Missourians with mental illnesses and developmental disabilities live more full and independent lives.”

The cuts are necessary because of revenue growth which fell short of projections for the 2016 fiscal year. Nixon did say further cuts will be necessary if the legislature overrides his vetoes of three tax breaks, which would drop revenues by more than $60 million a year.

A full list of Gov. Nixon’s budget adjustments can be seen here.