MDN.ORG:
Missouri Digital News
MDN.ORG
Mo. Digital News
Missouri Digital News
MDN.ORG:
Mo. Digital News
MDN.ORG:
Missouri Digital News
MDN.ORG:
Missouri Digital News
MDN.ORG
Mo. Digital News
Missouri Digital News
MDN.ORG:
Mo. Digital News
MDN.ORG:
Missouri Digital News
State officials say the increase in Missouri revenue does not imply an improving economy and the end of budget woes.
Stephanie Hockridge has the story.
The 6.1 percent increase in Missouri Revenue does not reflect the reality of collections according to Missouri Budget Director Linda Luebbering.
She explains that if you look at the details, most of the increase is merely a fluke.
"THE TOTAL COLLECTIONS NUMBER IS UP BY THAT AMOUNT. THE PROBLEM IS THAT MOST OF THE INCREASE IS DUE TO ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES AND REFUNDS AND REALLY DOESN'T REFLECT WHAT IS REALLY GOING ON WITH COLLECTIONS THEMSELVES."
Luebbering says that if you look at only the collections of revenue, the actual growth is up by only 2 percent.
However, she says that since Missouri has not seen a positive number in awhile, 2 percent is good.
From the state Capitol, I'm Stephanie Hockridge.
SMH
The Missouri collection of revenue has increased, but state legislators say that this is not enough to cover the budget.
Stephanie Hockridge has the story.
The state has been forced to withhold budgeted money because of a miscalculation of the growth of revenue.
The Missouri General Assembly originally estimated a 5 percent growth of revenue for 2003.
However, the actual increase is only 2percent.
Missouri Budget Director Linda Luebbering says that she doesn't think the state will make it to the 5 percent growth point.
"THE 2 PERCENT GROWTH IS A GOOD THING, BUT IT IS NOT ENOUGH TO PAY FOR THE BUDGET APPROVED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY. THEY ASSUMED GROWTH OF ABOUT 5 PERCENT AND A LITTLE OVER 5 PERCENT AND WE'RE ACTUALLY AT ABOUT 2 PERCENT AND THAT'S WHY WE HAD TO DO THE WITHHOLDINGS."
However, Luebbering says that since Missouri has not seen a positive number in awhile, 2 percent is good.
From the state Capitol, I'm Stephanie Hockridge.
SMH
State officials say the increase in Missouri revenue does not imply an improving economy and the end of budget woes.
Stephanie Hockridge has the story.
The state's Revenue Department is reporting an increase for tax and revenue collections.
However, Spokesman for the Missouri Economic Development Department Jim Grebing says legislators should not be overly optimistic from a single month of data.
"ONE MONTH DOES NOT REPRESENT A TREND, BUT IT CAN CERTAINLY BE VIEWED AS AN ENCOURAGING SIGN, A SIGN OF BETTER DAYS AHEAD, BUT TO REALLY HAVE A TRUE PICTURE YOU NEED TO LOOK AT OVER A PERIOD OF SEVERAL MONTHS."
However, Missouri Budget Director Linda Luebbering says that the increase in revenue is good because the state has not seen a positive number in awhile.
From the state Capitol, I'm Stephanie Hockridge.