Missouri predicts major budget cuts for the coming fiscal year

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

Missouri Gov. Mike Parson said the state is looking at major budget cuts for the coming fiscal year during his Friday COVID-19 press briefing.

According to Parson, he estimates the state will have to cut nearly $700 million from his original $30 billion spending plan as a result of the economic impact of COVID-19.

He added that there is not a clear focus for what will be cut.

"I think everything's on the table..." Parson said. "I think you need to strip it down to the point of what is it we need to provide as a government and you go from there. There's going to be some changes in the budget. There's going to be some tough decisions to be made."

The announcement comes as lawmakers continue to work on the state's budget amid the COVID-19 outbreak. At midnight Saturday, the House of Representatives uploaded appropriation bills to its website.

The budget covers the coming fiscal year, which begins in July.

In addition to the proposed budget cut, Parson has already paused nearly $227 million in state funding.