By AP/KWMU
Jefferson City, MO. – Missouri Governor Bob Holden has followed through on his threat to cut previously spared education money.
Thursday night he ordered $82 million in cuts to the state's schools and universities as a way to help balance the state's budget for this fiscal year that will end June 30.
The shortfall was $400 million, but lawmakers passed a plan to borrow money to help close most, but not the entire, gap.
Holden also ordered about $75 million in cuts to other state agencies, action worked out with lawmakers earlier.
The budget director says hundreds of vacant jobs will remain unfilled, a few employees will be laid off and some programs will be scaled-back or eliminated.