By Marshall Griffin, St. Louis Public Radio
Jefferson City, Mo. – An audit released today finds that some state funds that are supposed to be restricted to specific needs are being used to help pay the daily cost of running Missouri's government.
State Auditor Susan Montee says restricted funds being used for other purposes include money that should be going to veterans cemeteries and to Access Missouri scholarships.
"In Fiscal Year 2009 alone, $207,000 was transferred out of Access Missouri and into the general revenue stream," Montee said.
Montee also says nearly $3 million in restricted funds have been transferred to general revenue over the past two years. The money was used to pay for such things as technology, personnel and management of facilities.
A spokesperson for the Office of Administration says they're reviewing the audit's findings and will issue a response later.