(Jefferson City, MO) -- More than 600 state workers are losing their jobs in the latest round of budget cuts.

Governor Jay Nixon made that announcement this morning in Jefferson City.
Most of the people losing their jobs are part-time employees.

The cuts don't stop there.
The governor is slashing more than $200-million from the state's budget.

A few state education programs are taking a financial hit, including arts and humanities programs.
The governor also announced reductions in Medicaid rates for health care providers.

Nixon says the cuts are necessary as state tax revenues continue to tumble. "We've taken these actions early and decisively to avoid the financial quagmire that so many other states are currently facing."

The state legislature approved nearly $24 billion for the 2010 budget.
Since then, the governor has cut $673 million from the spending plan along with 1,700  jobs.