Nixon releases $8M from Volkswagen settlement with Missouri

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — About $8.7 million Missouri received from a settlement over Volkswagen’s emissions cheating scandal will go to school transportation and other programs.

Gov. Jay Nixon on Friday released a matching $8.7 million in previously restricted spending for this year’s budget after the state received the settlement money.

Nixon this year blocked about $174 million in planned spending, he said to balance the budget.

His action Friday will mean school transportation will get $4.5 million, and $1.2 million will go to an emergency management agency to support disaster response.

The settlement money also will go to a $3 million biodiesel subsidies transfer.