COLUMBIA —Missouri has borrowed $150 million from budget reserves to fund programs such as education and Medicare.
Although state revenue collection is down 10 percent for the year, Budget Director Linda Luebbering said this borrowing is a separate issue from Missouri's decline in revenue.
Gov. Jay Nixon will address the loss in revenue collection with further budget cuts, Luebbering said. She added that this money will be used to address immediate cash flow issues. The state has tapped into the fund nine out of the past 10 years.
Friday's withdrawal leaves $170 million in the fund, which begins the year with a $520 million balance. The state took $125 million out of the fund in July and another $75 million in August. All money borrowed must be paid back to the fund by May 15.