Missouri Faces Further Budget Woes

Jefferson City, MO – The state of Missouri has borrowed $150 million from its budget reserve fund, as state revenue collections continue to decline.

The latest dip into the fund brings the total borrowed this fiscal year to $350 million. State Budget Director Linda Luebbering says the $150 million borrowed this week will cover several current expenses.

Luebbering: "We have payments to, for example, our Medicaid providers, the nursing homes, the hospitals, the doctors, and of course, just the normal operating of our correctional institutions."

The latest withdrawal leaves the reserve fund with about $170 million. Luebbering also says more spending cuts and state worker layoffs will be announced in the coming weeks.