Governor signs $22.4 billion Missouri budget

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Gov. Matt Blunt signs a $22.4 billion operating budget for Missouri.

The new state budget is to take effect Tuesday. It includes spending increases for public schools, college scholarships and medical providers who treat low-income patients.

In fact, the budget increases state spending at a greater rate than its expected revenue growth. The state is able to do that by tapping into money left over from previous years.

The Republican governor calls it a responsible budget, noting Missouri's finances have fared better than some other states as the economy as had troubles.

Blunt said he made five line-item vetoes. Those included a $500,000 expenditure from Conservation Department funds toward an improved communications system for state and local emergency responders. Blunt said the agency opposed the expenditure.