Another evaluation will be made next month of how much money the state will have to finance programs and services in the next fiscal year. Governor Nixon’s proposed budget already is being cut by legislative committees shaping the final plan. He wants some fresh figures before making any moves. Nixon says the full state tax figures for February will help him and legislative budget experts calculate the amount of money the state will have for the fiscal year beginning July 1.

Members of House budget writing committees already have been told to cut the governor’s spending recommendations by five percent.

The governor says, however, that he’s optimistic the economy will improve enough in the second half of this year to produce a rosier financial picture.

Listen to Nixon’s comments 1:10 mp3