Governor Jay Nixon has released another 43-million of the dollars he’s been withholding in the state’s budget.

Nixon said it’s possible because state revenue has improved.

“I’m pleased to report that as Missouri’s economy continues to pick up steam, state revenues are reflecting this positive trend,” said Nixon.

Nixon’s budget director Linda Luebbering announced on Thursday fiscal year-to-date net general revenue collections increased 6.8 percent compared to 2014, from $5.57 billion last year to $5.95 this year.

“We got to work immediately,” said Nixon of his staff’s reaction to the positive figures. “Today I’m pleased to announce that we’re able to provide $43-million in funding now for education, workforce training, and other key strategic investments.”

Nixon released money for capital improvements and repairs at state facilities and colleges, improvements to ports on the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers, more than $5.8-million for local libraries, and other programs.

The governor is still withholding more than $408-million from the current fiscal year’s budget. Most of that is tied to capital improvement projects, some of which could eventually be funded by bonding proposals. $149-million of those dollars are in the operating budget.