KANSAS CITY, Mo. – There was new reaction Friday from the Missouri governor to proposed budget cuts to the Tour of Missouri bicycle race.
Missouri Governor Jay Nixon pointed out that the $1.5 million has not been cut yet. But Nixon said the state needs to make more budget cuts and that private sponsors may have to put in more money to keep the race going.
The Tour of Missouri brings world class cyclists to the state and generates $30 million in economic activity. The week-long race is in September. This year the final stage is scheduled to race through Kansas City.
Organizers say any budget cut at this late date could put the whole event at risk. But the governor made it clear that money for a race doesn't compare to money for health care or other priorities.
"We don't want to end up like Kansas has, having to cut education. And like California has sending out IOU's. Or Illinois, not even having a budget and having a meltdown there," Nixon said.
The Tour of Missouri has been a project of Lt. Governor Peter Kinder, who is a Republican. But the Democratic governor denies that cutting the tour's budget was a partisan recommendation.
