Missouri gets $8.7M from Volkswagen after emissions scandal

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Missouri has received $8.7 million from Volkswagen as part of a multibillion-dollar national settlement over the automaker's emissions cheating scandal.

Attorney General Chris Koster's office transferred the money to the state's general-revenue fund Thursday.

The money comes after Gov. Jay Nixon so far this fiscal year cut about $174 million in funding for Missouri's schools, roads and a variety of other programs. He said the cuts were needed to balance the budget.

A Nixon spokesman didn't respond to Associated Press requests for comment Thursday. The $8.7 million is just part of Volkswagen's planned payments to Missouri.

Volkswagen also agreed to pay as much as $39 million for environmental air-remediation programs in the state, as well as $40 million on a consumer vehicle buyback or repair program.