By AP/KWMU
Jefferson City, Mo. – Forty-two mostly rural or Catholic Democrats in the Missouri Legislature want Governor Holden to release funding for a program that discourages abortions.
When the budget year started last July, Holden withheld the $570,000 for the alternatives to abortion program. The program provides pregnant women with support services, including counseling and help with health care, housing and transportation.
The spending was part of about $240 million Holden withheld from the Legislature's budget out of concerns it would be underfunded.
Holden has since released all of the education money he initially withheld, but continues to hold back the appropriations for the abortion alternatives program and other state functions.
Holden's office didn't immediately return a call seeking comment today.