By AP/KWMU
Jefferson City, MO – Legislative negotiators worked all day Tuesday and into the night before coming to agreement on a $19 billion state budget.
It's slightly out of balance, falling short by about $150 million dollars. That could force Governor Holden to make cuts, or else lawmakers will have to find ways to come up with new money.
The dilemma stems largely from a desire by House negotiators to lessen the cuts to public schools, while those from the Senate want to avoid deep cuts to Medicaid health care programs for children and adults.
The Missouri state Constitution requires lawmakers to pass a budget by Friday. Then they have until their May 16th adjournment to pass any revenue measures.