By AP/KWMU
Lake Ozark, Mo. – Governor Holden says it's not the bill he
likes, not the budget he wants. But he is biting the bullet today and agreeing to sign two education spending bills.
That ends the budget stalemate between the Democratic chief executive and the Republican-led Missouri Legislature, which is meeting in special session.
Holden announced his intentions late this morning to about 200 school officials gathered at the Lake of the Ozarks. Only moments later, lawmakers at the Capitol gave final approval to the budget
bills.
Signing the bills will avert a potential partial government shutdown. It could have occurred if the state began its fiscal year
Tuesday with no spending authority for education.
Holden says he'll sign the budget package because the consequences of vetoing it would have been worse.