Libraries face cuts under Greitens' Missouri spending plan

JEFFERSON CITY • Fewer books for kids and less public internet access for job seekers are two of the potential effects of Gov. Eric Greitens budget proposal.

Under the $27.6 billion spending blueprint unveiled by the Republican newcomer last month, libraries would see nearly $3 million less than they had expected to get last year as part of a series of cuts made to deal with less than robust growth in tax revenue.

The move comes after former Gov. Jay Nixon and Greitens each have withheld spending for libraries as part of mid-year adjustments designed to keep the state’s budget balanced.

Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft, whose office operates the state library, is pushing lawmakers to find money in the budget to stave off reductions to more than 300 facilities across the state.

Read more: http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/libraries-face-cuts-under-greitens-missouri-spending-plan/article_18ef0d11-299a-5f4b-93c2-d4ff8e69dc1b.html