Missouri state workers to get 1 percent raise

Gov. Jay Nixon, at right, tours the basement and sub-basement of the Capitol, Monday, Dec. 15, 2014, in Jefferson City, Mo. At left, Cathy Brown, Director of Facilities Management, leads the tour through the dirt and, in areas, mud floors that make up the sub-basement for the building's foundation. Years of water seepage have caused a number of issues including, mold, stalactites and cracks in foundation among other problems. Nixon has decided to use some of the money set aside for Capitol repairs to pay for a one-percent increase in state employee wages and enhanced tourism promotion efforts.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon has released $4.6 million to give state employees a 1 percent raise.

Nixon on Wednesday announced the raises will kick in Jan. 1, and that he's also freeing $2 million to boost the state's tourism efforts.

The governor is using some of the money set aside for state Capitol repairs to pay for the moves. He's restricting $1.8 million of the $4.2 million set aside to spruce up the building and $4 million from a facilities maintenance fund.

Nixon cited concerns about declining revenues when he first froze the money for tourism and pay increases.

He and lawmakers recently scaled back predictions of how much money the state will make by the end of the fiscal year.

The governor hasn't released about $700 million in restricted funds.

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