Linda Luebbering returns as state budget director
Gov. Jay Nixon has brought back a veteran number-cruncher to help him balance the budget.
Linda Luebbering started work today as Nixon’s budget director.
Luebbering was budget director during former Gov. Bob Holden’s administration, steering the state’s financial ship during the cash crunch and budget cuts of 2001-2004.
A Jefferson City native, she worked for Missouri government for 19 years before leaving in 2004. Since then, she has been the fiscal management director for the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare.
“We were happy to get someone with her level of expertise back to help craft the budget,” said Scott Holste, a Nixon spokesman.
Nixon is putting the final touches on his budget proposal for the fiscal year that begins July 1. While anxiety is high among groups that depend on state funds, details have been scarce on what Nixon plans to cut.
Nixon will present his plan to the General Assembly during a prime-time address in the House chamber at 7 p.m. on Tuesday evening.
She may be great, I don’t know her and this may be unfair. But you have to wonder if it is smart for Nixon to hire someone who steered the ship during the Holden years. I think even many of my friends from the other side of the political spectrum would agree that the Holden governship wasn’t exactly successful.