Missouri Gov. Mike Parson says he's expecting a $500 million revenue shortfall this year because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Parson on Wednesday cut roughly $175 million in state government spending to help bridge the gap.
Many of those cuts are to spending for public colleges and universities. Parson blocked more than $61 million from going to public four-year colleges and another $11 million intended for community colleges.
State Budget Director Dan Haug says Parson's action will free up money for the state to spend quickly on ventilators and other scarce supplies.