By AP/KWMU
Jefferson City, MO – Continued budget troubles have forced another round of cuts to state government.
Governor Holden says he has ordered $60 million of cuts to state agencies. The savings will come from leaving vacant positions open and reducing expenses for travel, equipment and professional contracts.
Budget director Linda Luebbering says the cuts will force agencies to operate on bare essentials. It also means almost no new state employees will be hired through the June 30 end of the fiscal year.
The latest spending withholdings raise the amount of money Holden has cut from this year's budget to $127 million dollars.
More moves will be necessary.
Luebbering says Missouri's budget shortfall could range from $300
to 400 million by the end of the year.