Governor, state legislature agree to budget number

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Democratic Gov. Bob Holden and Republican legislative leaders agreed Thursday to a uniform estimate of state revenue collections upon which they will base the next state budget.

The consensus estimate of more than $6.39 billion in net general revenue collections for the fiscal year beginning July 1 is more than $160 million higher than expected for the current fiscal year.

The Senate and House appropriations chairmen had previously agreed to the figure before Holden, who had urged a more conservative estimate, signed on Thursday afternoon.

"It is achievable, but it is optimistic," said Linda Luebbering, the state budget director.

Holden will use the estimate to finalize the budget proposal he will present to lawmakers on Jan. 21. With federal revenue and other funding sources not included in the consensus estimate, the overall state budget will top $19 billion.

Luebbering said all parties agreed to re-evaluate the situation in April after the revenue collections from March -- traditionally a big month for the state -- are known.