Gov. Nixon releases more than $5.6 million in frozen funds

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – 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 multijurisdictional 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.

This story was originally published November 6, 2014 at 7:51 AM with the headline "Gov. Nixon releases more than $5.6 million in frozen funds."