By Kevin Lavery, KWMU
St. Louis, MO – Missouri lawmakers will head back to Jefferson City to refigure the state budget on Monday.
Gov. Bob Holden says he's optimistic that cuts to a host of services can be restored. He says the budget the Republican-controlled legislature gave him cuts $354 million from education, health care and social services. But Holden believes the General Assembly can deliver a sound budget before July 1, the start of the new fiscal year.
"If everybody will come to Jefferson City with the idea of finding some common ground and making sure we commit to fulfill the needs we have, yes, it is possible to do," Holden said.
The governor adds while the federal tax relief package enacted this week will give Missouri nearly $400 million in federal money over the next two years, the state will also lose about $100 million in annual tax revenue.
Holden advocates raising state taxes, but Republican leaders oppose that plan, saying that tax relief package enacted earlier this week could cover the shortfall.