JEFFERSON CITY • Top Missouri leaders continued their sparring over state finances Monday when Gov. Jay Nixon moved to release money he had been withholding from various state programs.

The maneuver came two weeks after the Republican-controlled House voted to force the release of money for two programs that hadn’t been funded by the governor in the current fiscal year.

Nixon said he was able to release $2.1 million of the more than $45 million he’s been withholding because of new, positive economic data.

“The March general revenue report reflects the strong growth we are seeing in our economy, and I’m pleased we are able to make these dollars available,” the governor said in a prepared statement.

While House Budget Chairman Tom Flanigan said he was thankful for the release of money, he cautioned that the Legislature would be monitoring other opportunities to override the governor's withholdings.

Under current law, the governor can withhold money when state revenue is less than the estimate the appropriations are based on, to be released if they improve. In 2014, Missouri voters gave lawmakers the ability to override the governor.