After concerns that state revenue would be lower than expected, lawmakers got good news this week.
Revenue totals are up about 0.5% from the same time last year, according to a new report from the Department of Revenue. Much of the increase came as Missourians filed their taxes. State revenue is still shy of the 1.7% growth that lawmakers expected and based next year’s budget on.
Senate Appropriations Committee chair Dan Hegeman says the new numbers give hope.
“We certainly had some concern on the budget earlier as the revenues still seem to lag but we continue to think that they will come in and it’s very enlightening and appealing that they’ve come in now so we can address some of the needs of the state of Missouri,” said Hegeman.
Hegeman says if state revenue doesn’t continue to increase to meet budget demands then the governor can use a line item veto.