By AP/KWMU
Jefferson City, MO – Missouri Governor Matt Blunt's budget proposal includes cutting money for Alzheimer's research.
The $227,000 program funds research of the disease at public and private institutions.
While the dollar amount is small compared to the state's overall budget, advocates say the money helps new researchers get their start and also helps attract millions in federal money.
But a spokeswoman for the governor says the cut is needed to balance the state's budget without raising taxes.
Lawmakers have recommended that a House Budget Committee set aside just $500 for the program so it's still listed in the budget. Once programs are entirely zeroed out, it's often harder to get them back into the state budget.