By Kevin Lavery, KWMU
St. Louis, MO – When Holden withheld nearly $200 million in public education funding earlier this year, more than a dozen school districts sought a court order to release the funds.
The districts had argued that the state constitution prohibits the governor from withholding school appropriations.
But Holden says he acted within his authority adding the withholdings would have been unnecessary had state lawmakers followed his recommendations:
"The Republican leadership of the House and Senate was a roadblock to fulfilling our commitment to the public schools in the state of Missouri," Holden said.
An attorney for the districts says his clients will appeal to the Missouri Supreme Court.