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JEFFERSON CITY, MO. (AP) -- Missouri's finances are improving. But Gov. Jay Nixon's administration remains reluctant to reverse spending cuts affecting public schools, college scholarships and other services.

Figures from the state treasurer's office provided to The Associated Press show Missouri had $484 million in its general revenue fund at the end of December, which is the halfway point of Missouri's fiscal year.

That was up 57 percent from the previous year. And it was more than enough to offset $300 million of spending cuts made by Nixon when the budget year started.

House Budget Committee Chairman Ryan Silvey questions whether Nixon can constitutionally continue to withhold money from schools.

Nixon budget director Linda Luebbering says the cuts remain prudent. She says Missouri revenues are still forecast to fall short of the original budget.

(Copyright ©2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)