JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Gov. Jay Nixon has released more than $5.6 million in state funds he had frozen earlier, saying the move was possible because Missouri gained jobs in September.
Wednesday’s release includes $2 million for the A+ Scholarship program and $1 million for Access Missouri scholarships.
Nixon also unfroze $1 million for high-tech startups, $500,000 for drug task forces and $450,000 for the Missouri Rx program to residents pay for prescription drugs.
The announcement came on day after Missouri voters approved a constitutional amendment that allows lawmakers to override a governor’s decision to freeze or slow spending.
Republican House members say they might use the power to override Nixon’s spending freezes as early as January.