Missouri Gov Plans Line-item Veto In Stimulus Bill

DAVID A. LIEB

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Gov. Jay Nixon plans to veto some of the projects included by lawmakers in a $381 million plan for spending a portion of Missouri's federal stimulus money.

Nixon spokesman Jack Cardetti said Friday that the governor believes the bill would spend too much of Missouri's stimulus money and prefers to save more of the money for later use.

"There will be line item vetoes," Cardetti said.

The House and Senate passed the stimulus spending bill Thursday night after haggling for months about which specific projects should be included in it. Some Republicans and Democrats alike complained that lawmakers were spending too much of the money for special projects.

At issue is how to use Missouri's $2.2 billion, two-year share of "budget stabilization" money from the stimulus package over which lawmakers have the greatest flexibility.

When the $381 million stimulus bill is combined with other budget bills, Nixon's office said, the Legislature already has appropriated $1.26 billion of the federal "stabilization" money.