nixon frees up education $

Gov. Jay Nixon has released $143 million of education funding that he had frozen, because lawmakers sustained most of his vetoes of tax-break bills.

Nixon announced the release of the money Thursday, after lawmakers concluded a veto session in which they overrode 47 line-item budget vetoes and 10 vetoes on other bills.

Despite their record number of overrides, lawmakers sustained most of Nixon’s vetoes on a package of bills that would have granted tax breaks to various businesses such as electric companies, computer data centers and fitness clubs.

The released funding includes $100 million for K-12 schools and $43 million for colleges and universities.

Nixon said he is evaluating whether to release any of the additional $700 million of spending that he has restricted because of concerns over state finances