The Rebudgeting Process in State Government: The Case of Missouri

Abstract

State budgets change during the year, but why they change and how the changes affect present and future budgetary policy remains largely unexplored. This article examines these two questions by studying the process through which the budget changes after appropriations have been approved, a process referred to as rebudgeting, in the state of Missouri. Findings indicate that rebudgeting in Missouri arises largely because of managerial needs and environmental pressures. If the content of annual budget was not allowed to adjust to these forces, the effectiveness of budgeting in general would likely decline. The findings also suggest that deviations from the appropriated budget may affect how the legislature and the executive define the budget base, and it reflects the predominant budgetary role the governor plays during the fiscal year. Finally, the data indicate that changes are facilitated not only by budgetary surpluses, as has previously been argued, but also by fiscal stress.