JEFFERSON CITY — Facing the largest revenue decline in Missouri history, state Budget Director Linda Luebbering announced an additional $126 million in cuts to the current state budget on Thursday.
A total of more than $850 million has been cut from the state's budget since its passage by the General Assembly last May. The cuts on Thursday mark the third straight month that cuts have been made to the budget.
Luebbering announced $55 million in cuts just hours before Gov. Jay Nixon gave his State of the State address in January. Another $73 million was cut in February.
The state now expects revenue collection for fiscal year 2010 to decrease by $700 million compared to fiscal year 2009, according to a release from the Office of Administration. Currently, collections for fiscal year 2010 are down 12.7 percent. Fiscal year 2010 began July 1, 2009, and ends June 30.
In a speech in Springfield earlier in the day, Nixon also announced that the budget estimate for fiscal year 2011 needs to be decreased by $500 million. The selling of excess office space, state cars and the elimination of three state holidays including the birthday of former President Harry S. Truman were among measures Nixon mentioned as ways to save money.