Mo. Supreme Court hears case on withheld appropriation funds from the 2012 fiscal budget

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Intro:	The Missouri governor and the state auditor squared off in front of Missouri's high court Wednesday morning.
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Wrap: The high court took up the case after the Missouri state auditor, Tom Schweich, sued Governor Jay Nixon for innapropriately withholding funds from the 2012 fiscal budget.

Nixon's lawyer, James Layton, says the auditor doesn't have the right to question how the governor decides to use the money.

Actuality:	LAYTON.WAV
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Description: “No, the governor can never spend money unless it’s appropriated, the governor has never spent money unless it is appropriated, the treasurer cannot pay out money unless it is appropriated, there is no extra legislation slush fund, and there’s no credible claim that is has happened here.”

Schweich's lawyer says the governor must be held accountable.

He also says it's the auditor's responsibility to make sure state funds are handled appropriately.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Christine Roto.

Intro:	The Missouri governor and the state auditor continue a battle, this time in front of the Supreme Court, about withheld funds from the 2012 budget.
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Wrap: The high court is hearing the case from Missouri State Auditor Tom Schweich.

Schweich says Governor Jay Nixon innapropriately withheld funds from the 2012 budget.

The governor's lawyer says the auditor doesn't have the Constitutional right to demand documentation from the governor.

The state auditor's lawyer, Darrel Moore, says the governor must be held accountable.

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Description: "An independent elected official, the state auditor will be the person to make sure appropriations are handled appropriately and legally."

The governor's lawyer says the governor never spent money that wasn't appropriated.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Christine Roto.