Missouri’s economy is improving, but it is not generating significantly more money to pay for state programs and services. Incoming Governor Matt Blunt and legislative leaders say lawmakers will have only a little more general operations money to spend in the next fiscal year than they do in this one. He and legislative budget experts say taxpayers will contribute about $6.7-Billion to the next general operating budget. Federal money and taxes earmarked for specific programs will make up the rest of a state budget expected to total about $19-Billion.
