By AP/KWMU
Jefferson City, MO – The chairman of the Budget Committee in the Missouri House says the state faces a shortfall next year of a couple hundred million dollars.
The state is bringing in more tax money than last year, but Republican Brad Lager says not enough to meet the mandatory spending increases that will be needed next year.
That will be for items like schools, debt payments, utility bills on state offices and buildings, and Medicaid.
Lager says the state should freeze government, meaning no new programs or employees. He predicts the increased tax revenue will only cover about half of what the state needs next year just from mandatory increases.
The legislative session starts in January; that's also when Gov. Matt Blunt will present his budget proposal for the next fiscal year, which starts July 1.