Parson freezes $180M in spending

Gov. Mike Parson on Wednesday announced the state would freeze nearly $180 million in spending.

"COVID-19 has had serious impacts on our anticipated economic growth," Parson said. "And now we are expecting significant revenue declines, some of which may be larger than those experienced during the Great Recession."

Parson said the state is facing a $500 million budget shortfall for the current fiscal year that ends June 30. He's hopeful the state will be able to use federal funds to help fill the budget gap.

Read more from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.