Senator Claire McCaskill blasts in-state politicians who decry stimulus plan, but still take money

WASHINGTON (AP) -- U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill says she's fed up with Missouri politicians who are criticizing the federal government for big spending yet are using federal stimulus money to balance the state budget.

McCaskill didn't call anyone out by name Monday. But the Democratic senator generically targeted Republicans who control the Missouri House and Senate.

Missouri's 2010 budget is using federal stimulus money for education and health care. The 2011 budget proposed by Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon would rely on $1.2 billion of stimulus money but would not finance the full amount due to public schools.

Republican Senate leaders have committed to fully funding the school formula. McCaskill says they could not even come close to doing so were it not for federal money.

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