Mo. lawmakers balk at canceling two state holidays; Nixon axes third

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Missouri lawmakers have saved two state holidays, but Gov. Jay Nixon still plans to keep state government operating on the day after Thanksgiving.

Nixon had proposed canceling state holidays for the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Harry Truman and the Friday after Thanksgiving. Lawmakers did not approve a bill needed to revoke the presidents' holiday. But Nixon still plans to use his executive authority to cancel the day off on the Friday after Thanksgiving.

The governor said state workers could use vacation time to extend their Thanksgiving holiday.

State budget officials estimate Missouri can save about $1.5 million per holiday by doing away with them. State workers had written dozens of e-mails objecting to the idea and suggesting other cost-saving options.