Lawmakers review officials' budgets

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- A special panel of Missouri House members examining the state budget has turned its attention to spending by elected officials.

The state expects a budget shortfall of several hundred million dollars next year. Legislative leaders created the committee to perform a detailed study of spending before the House and Senate begin their annual session next month.

On Monday, the committee looked at spending by statewide elected officials and the legislature itself.

Several members asked about a housekeeper and chef at the Governor's Mansion, and about travel by Gov. Jay Nixon that sometimes is billed to other state agencies.

Nixon's budget director, Linda Luebbering, says individual agencies may be billed when the governor travels for business involving them directly

Lawmakers also asked about efforts by the House to use less paper.