Northwest Missouri steered clear of most of Gov. Jay Nixon’s $105 million in budget withholdings Thursday.

The governor said his first vetoes were a move to balance the 2009-2010 state budget the General Assembly approved in May because of updated revenue figures that came in lower than expected. He slashed nearly $23 million from the operating budget and roughly $82 million in capital improvements and other projects.

Fully axed was $16.5 million in projects from former Gov. Matt Blunt’s Lewis and Clark Discovery Initiative, while roughly $91 million in projects were restricted, or delayed.

Both initiative construction projects at Northwest Missouri State University and Missouri Western State University evaded the full vetoes. Funding for improvements to Western’s Agenstein Hall and Northwest’s Center of Excellence for Innovation and Entrepreneurship weren’t included in a controversial budget bill that received the bulk of the vetoes and restrictions.

However, Mr. Nixon nixed $671,256 in budget stabilization funds for a state headquarters building and meeting room in Grundy County. Also, Atchison and Holt counties lost out on $579,754 for a meeting and education facility.

Many university and legislative officials were studying the vetoes Thursday. Senate President Pro Tem Charlie Shields’ initial response came in concern for the college projects.

While the governor may be considering calling a special session for a large bonding proposal that could include money for college, highway and other projects upon voter approval, Mr. Shields said the concept is a challenging one.

“These projects stand on their own,” Mr. Shields said. “I still think the passage of a bond issue would be a little bit of a stretch at this point. We have a lot of folks who would be very concerned on how to pay for that.”

Mr. Nixon received praise from the corn industry Thursday, despite a $12.6 million cut in funds for a state ethanol incentive. He kept intact the subsidy’s funding for 2009-2010 and 2010-2011, but said he didn’t believe it was necessary to fund beyond that point, given the state’s economic constraints. Lifeline Foods officials in St. Joseph earlier this year voiced concerns that the incentive wouldn’t be fully funded.

“While we are disappointed by the FY 2012 and 2013 funding cuts, we know these are extremely tough times,” stated Missouri Corn Growers Association President Mike Geske in a news release. “MCGA appreciates Gov. Nixon going beyond his promise of full funding for FY 2010 and his leadership in keeping Missouri’s agricultural community on solid ground.”

Only days remain for Mr. Nixon to make any additional veto decisions. If he doesn’t reject bills the legislature sent to his desk by July 14, they automatically become law in August.

A repeal of the motorcycle helmet requirement in Missouri has garnered much attention, but Mr. Nixon has yet to confirm his intentions.

Locally, a handful of legislators also are awaiting some indication from Mr. Nixon on their successful bills.

Mr. Shields said he’s received no word from the governor on his support of a massive education package he authored, but he expects a signature.

Rep. Ed Wildberger, D-St. Joseph, is hoping for a local signing ceremony of his bill that would enhance the state’s mutual aid system. And Rep. Jim Guest, R-King City, is trying to figure out whether Mr. Nixon will sign the state’s rejection of national driver’s licenses by supporting his legislation to reject the Federal Real ID Act of 2005.

He’s sitting in a similar position of other bill authors less than a week away from the deadline.

“I haven’t heard any reason to believe he would not sign it,” Mr. Guest said.

Alyson E. Raletz can be reached

at alysonraletz@npgco.com.