By AP/KWMU
Jefferson City, MO – Republican legislative leaders and
Democratic Governor Holden are whittling away at Missouri's budget short-fall.
However, funding cuts still seem likely for public schools.
The leaders remain $82 million shy of covering a projected $350 million short-fall for the fiscal year ending June 30th.
Unless lawmakers come up with more money next week, Holden says he'll have to cut funding for public school districts and state colleges beginning in March.
School officials already are bracing for the cuts.
But Republicans say Holden has other options, such as spending money now that typically would be held in reserve for the next fiscal year.