New Mo. Deficit Projection: $261 Million

$HRINKING, BUT STILL $IGNIFICANT

Governor Jay Nixon along with State House and Senate leadership agree on a projected budget deficit of $261 million dollars for the 2009 fiscal year.

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"Achieving that balanced budget will be difficult, but if we continue to demonstrate the spirit in which this consensus was developed, it is possible," said Sen. Gary Nodler of Joplin, the Senate Appropriations Chair.

These updated figures released Thursday evening now project state revenues to decline by 4 percent this fiscal year compared to 2008.