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NewsFebruary 21, 2003

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- In its zeal to save money, a Republican-led House committee inadvertently cut Missouri's budget director out of next year's budget, then restored funding for her position Thursday. Earlier this week, the General Administration Appropriations Committee cut more than 40 positions in the Office of Administration -- a move that saved more than $4 million...

By David A. Lieb, The Associated Press

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- In its zeal to save money, a Republican-led House committee inadvertently cut Missouri's budget director out of next year's budget, then restored funding for her position Thursday.

Earlier this week, the General Administration Appropriations Committee cut more than 40 positions in the Office of Administration -- a move that saved more than $4 million.

Included in the cuts was a position for a "deputy state department director." Committee chairman Brad Roark said that sounded like a middle-level manager. It turned out to be the position held by budget director Linda Luebbering.

"We're trying to go in and streamline the Office of Administration, but we weren't trying to get rid of Ms. Luebbering," said Roark, R-Springfield. "I think we do need a budget and planning director."

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Luebbering joked her family might prefer the cut to stick, so they could see her more often. But she wasn't too pleased that the committee also, intentionally, eliminated other positions in the budget and planning office.

The committee's cuts serve as a recommendation to the House Budget Committee, which submits a budget plan to the full House. The Senate also has to weigh in on the budget, which takes effect July 1.

"There's a long way between now and the end of the budget process and I suspect we'll ultimately work all this out," Luebbering said.

Democratic Gov. Bob Holden cited the committee's temporary elimination of Luebbering's position as an example of how Republican House members are going overboard in trying to balance next year's budget through spending cuts instead of with new revenue.

"That's what I call shooting the messenger," Holden told media visiting the Governor's Mansion.

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