By AP/KWMU
Jefferson City, MO. – The Missouri Senate's budget committee Thursday approved a budget that includes almost $600 million dollars in cuts, nearly three-fourths of whcih would come from the two departments that oversee schools and colleges.
The budget plan cuts $587 million dollars from what Governor Bob Holden proposed to spend during the fiscal year starting July first.
But the cuts could have been deeper. Senators turned down provisions that could have pushed thousands of low-income adults off the Medicaid health care program, ended a state health care program for children and allowed for prison closings.
The spending plan is expected to be debated by the full Senate next week.