Missouri governor to announce more budget cuts

JEFFERSON CITY — More spending cuts are coming to Missouri government.

Gov. Jay Nixon planned an announcement Wednesday of additional cuts that he says are needed to keep the state budget in balance. A news conference is planned at 11:30 a.m.

Nixon already has vetoed or cut $430 million from the $23.7 billion budgeted by lawmakers for state operations and capital improvements during the current fiscal year.

Last week, the Division of State Parks and Historic Sites told employees it is eliminating more than 100 positions because of declining tax revenues that finance the agency.

The Missouri Parks Association is urging the agency to reconsider the layoffs and instead look at temporary park closings, furloughs and job-sharing proposals.