Public conference over budget turns private

Intro:	At a public conference committee meeting over Missouri's budget, lawmakers worked out their disagreements in private. Theo Keith has more from Jefferson City.
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Wrap: Representatives and senators worked through the day to close the $300 million gap between their budgets.

But they did not discuss some issues with microphones on.

Instead, they took long breaks, huddling or even leaving the room to work out details.

Columbia Democratic Representative Chris Kelly says...

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Description: "It's less transparent."

But he says closed-door meetings are inevitable because public discussions are less frank.

At issue were staff pay cuts.

GOP House Budget Chairman Allen Icet says the decisions will ultimately happen out in the open.

From the state Capitol, I'm Theo Keith, Newsradio 1120 KMOX.

Intro:	Governor Jay Nixon's budget director says it's highly likely the governor will need to make more cuts because lawmakers haven't slashed enough money out of next year's budget. Theo Keith has more from Jefferson City.
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Wrap: Governor Nixon says lawmakers need to cut a half-billion dollars. The Senate's Appropriations chairman agrees.

But the House says there's no need to cut so much, and lawmakers at a budget conference committee will not reach the half-billion dollar target.

Nixon's budget director, Linda Luebbering, says the governor will probably have to cut the rest.

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Description: "Unless we see some really, more optimistic news in our revenue situation than what we have been seeing, I think it's pretty close to definite."

But the House's GOP Budget chairman says lawmakers have balanced the budget.

And any extra cuts would only save more money for future years.

From the state Capitol, I'm Theo Keith, Newsradio 1120 KMOX.

Intro:	Budget leaders in Missouri's House and Senate are at odds over whether next year's budget is balanced. Theo Keith has more from Jefferson City.
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Wrap: Republican Senate Appropriations Chairman Rob Mayer says lawmakers won't get to the half-billion target in funding cuts.

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Description: "We have compromised on a lot of issues to keep the process moving forward ... It is what it is."

Mayer says House members want to keep more money in the budget, which GOP House Budget Chairman Allen Icet says is balanced.

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Description: "We've cut, I think, more that what's necessary to balance 2011. The issue is, the more we cut, the more money that will be available to help with the disaster that's called 2012."

Some say the budget lawmakers will debate a year from now will be more than a half a billion bucks short.

From the state Capitol, I'm Theo Keith, Newsradio 1120 KMOX.