Gov. Nixon restricts millions in Medicaid spending

Gov. Jay Nixon restricted $42.8 million in medicaid spending Wednesday and another $8.8 million in bonding authority.

“As Governor, I have kept Missouri’s budget in balance by restricting more than $2.2 billion in spending authorized by the General Assembly,” Nixon said. “This has allowed us to make record investments in priority areas such as public schools, higher education, mental health and law enforcement. As a result of our fiscal discipline and economic growth, I am pleased to take action today to further strengthen those priority areas, while leaving a balanced budget for the next administration.”

The governor also made almost $4 million available today for select programs, including:

$1.875 million to complete renovations at Missouri State University’s Glass Hall, which houses the university’s College of Business. This project includes a complete renovation and expansion of this facility, with a 37,000-square-foot addition that will include a modern facility with work rooms, an advising center and a career center. This funding is the final component for completion of $5 million in renovations at Glass Hall $24 million total at Missouri State $1 million for K-12 transportation $181,875 for Missouri S&T Clay County Engineering Program $500,000 for the Missouri Highway Patrol to replace lost federal funding $400,000 to expand an emergency room diversion initiative

Today’s $51 million in spending restrictions brings the total amount withheld by the governor this year $201 million.