JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Some Republican Missouri lawmakers are questioning Gov. Jay Nixon’s continued cuts to education and other government programs.

Nixon withheld $275 million that had been budgeted for the 2011 fiscal year that ended June 30. And he already has held back $57 million of general revenue expenditures for the 2012 budget that begin July 1. Included in the cuts are millions for public universities and student scholarships.

Nixon’s office has cited the deadly Joplin tornado and flooding as part of the reason why he has not released the held-back money.

The state constitution allows governors to reduce expenditures when revenues fall short of projections. Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Kurt Schaefer is one of several lawmakers who question whether Nixon can continue to cite that constitutional authority as revenues have improved.

Copyright Associated Press