Serious work on a tight state budget is underway in the House. But, it’s slow going. A full day of work from morning to late night on Wednesday resulted in only five of the 14 budget bills being given preliminary approval. House Budget Committee Chairman Tim Green of St. Louis haswarned legislators not to add to the budget problem. A special rule for this year forces lawmakers who want money for pet projects to find it somewhere. But, as the day wore on the proposals for additional spending mounted. Governor Holden wants $90-Million set aside for possible budget shortfalls next year. The House Budget Committee slashed that to $50-Million and the full House has agreed to take another $15-Million to fund specialeducation programs.
