Missouri Gov.-elect Greitens to make budget cuts

JEFFERSON CITY — Republican Gov.-elect Eric Greitens plans to make budget cuts in addition to the more than $200 million that has already been slashed by the current governor, Greitens' senior adviser said Thursday without providing details about how much money could be cut or what programs may be targeted.

Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon cut the budget for this fiscal year after it was approved by lawmakers, citing lagging revenue — particularly from corporate income taxes — and new tax breaks passed by the legislature. But based on current revenue forecasts, Nixon's cuts will not be enough to fully balance the budget, Greitens' adviser Austin Chambers said.

"The revenue that is projected is not going to be enough to cover the budget that he (Nixon) signed," Chambers told The Associated Press.

He said specific decisions have yet to be made on what areas of government might see cuts, and that details would be announced shortly after Greitens takes office next month. Nixon's state budget director, Dan Haug, who helps oversee the budget and is working with Greitens' transition team, did not return a request for comment Thursday from the AP.

Read more: http://www.news-leader.com/story/news/politics/2016/12/29/missouri-gov-elect-greitens-make-budget-cuts/95968070/