Amid all the rancorous rhetoric, the House did approve new versions of the four budget bills vetoed by Governor Holden and sent them to the Senate. A few changes here and there, but for the most part, the House puts its stamp of approval on the versions coming from the House Budget Committee. The leading Democrat in the House, Representative Mark Abel of Festus, criticizes Republicans for refusing to accept new numbers from the State Budget Director that indicates the budget approved in the regular session is now $500-Million out of balance, predicting the results of the clashing numbers. Taking exception to Abel’s criticism was House Budget Committee Chairman Carl Bearden of St. Charles. The revised budget bills would pump more than $100-Million into the four budget bills. Public schools would get the largest infusion, $72-Million.
