Missouri's state budget director says increased revenue growth likely will make spending restrictions unnecessary in the new fiscal year.
Newly released data shows revenue collections grew 8.8 percent in the fiscal year that ended last week. That's compared to the previous fiscal year, when revenues dropped 1 percent.
Budget director Linda Luebbering said that means spending freezes are not needed at this time.
The news comes after Governor Jay Nixon for years has blocked use of some money budgeted by lawmakers, citing lagging revenues. He's said the withholdings are needed to balance the budget.
Even ending the budget year on a strong note, Nixon refused to allow around $67 million to be spent.
