The $24 billion state budget approved Thursday by Missouri lawmakers is a tale of items that were hung up, but hung on.
As a percentage of the budget, none of the controversial items reflects a major expenditure.
But, in a lean budget year when lawmakers are attempting to close gaps, every expenditure counts. And, inevitably, principles, politics and personalities play roles in budget debates.
One day before Friday's deadline, legislators advanced a budget to Gov. Jay Nixon, who may sign or veto specific line items.
For now, let's look some at some of the hot-button budget issues lawmakers spared from the budget ax. They include:
• A 2 percent pay raise for state workers. The pay increase not only survived, it mirrored a House version for state employees earning up to $70,000. The proposal is more generous than a Senate counterpart; it differs from Nixon's proposal that would have covered all workers, but delayed the effective date.
• A health care program for more than 2,800 blind Missourians. The budget sent to Nixon provides nearly full funding, but includes limits the governor's office already has called invalid.
• Funding for veterans' homes. Legislators tapped a portion of casino fees as a dedicated funding stream for nursing homes for the state's veterans.
• Added funding for Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau and six other colleges and universities, including $49,633 for Lincoln. A dispute flared when two lawmakers with ties to southeast missouri traded personal allegations. In the compromise, SEMO got less of an increase than originally was placed in the budget. The other six schools had not been set to get anything.
• The Sue Shear institute for Women in Public Life. Funding was jeopardized after the institute was criticized as a training ground for Democrats. Funding survived, but was accompanied by a warning against using public funds for political activity.
Crafting the state budget is not unlike a chess game involving hundreds of pieces - including programs, institutions, agencies, etc. - being sheltered, shifted or sacrificed by hundreds of players, including legislators, lobbyists and special interests.
Amid gambits and missteps, the budget was completed before deadline and with money allocated for state employees, veterans and blind Missourians.
Attention now turns to the governor's desk and, ultimately, to whether revenue sources can meet projections.