Other cuts, withholdings

Line-item vetoes eliminate the spending authority for particular programs in the state budget. Governors also can leave items in the budget and withhold or delay the actual release of money when the state faces financial difficulties.

“This near record of line-item vetoes was not made lightly,” Nixon said. “These fiscally responsible steps are necessary to ensure that Missourians have a government we can afford without raising taxes, and without sacrificing our shared priorities of education, health care and jobs.”

Nixon said he is imposing $60 million of expenditure restrictions on state agencies, contracts and grants. He said that includes the elimination of 200 state jobs on top of the 1,244 positions eliminated in the budget passed by legislators.

Also placed on hold are about $48 million in maintenance and repair projects for state buildings, and a $21.5 million rate increase for in-home care providers.

Various projects at veterans homes and the Department of Natural Resources also were placed in the category of restricted expenditures, as were about $91 million worth of college construction projects that escaped a straight veto.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.