By AP/St. Louis Public Radio
St. Louis, MO. – A Senate committee has sliced more than $500 million from Missouri's proposed budget for next year.
The Senate Appropriations Committee wrapped up its work today after making hundreds of spending cuts, ranging from just a few dollars for some programs to the tens of millions for others.
Among the biggest cuts today was the elimination of the $37 million Career Ladder program, which pays teachers extra money for after-school tutoring.
Gov. Jay Nixon's administration supported many of the cuts.
The governor had said more than $500 million needed to be trimmed from
his original budget plan of more than $23.8 billion.
The full Senate is to consider the budget next week. Lawmakers must pass a final budget by May 7.