Anti—MSU lobbyists anger House committee
Debate about the bill will be limited to five hours when it heads to the floor next week.
Published Feb. 25, 2005
Lobbyists opposing the Southwest Missouri State University name-change bill might have harmed their cause during a hearing in the House Higher Education Committee.
The committee passed the bill 10-1 despite strong comments from MU sophomore Greg Chase and professor of journalism Jim Sterling. Several members of the committee said they took issue with Sterling and Chase, and some members said the testimony swayed their decision in favor of SMSU.
Sterling said he tried to emphasize his belief that the House should operate independently of Gov. Matt Blunt.
"I think I touched on some things they didn't want to hear," Sterling said. "My suggestion was that they think for themselves. I think it's something that needs to be reasoned and thought through."
Rep. Scott Rupp, D'''''''''Å"Â"Wentsville, the vice chairman of the House Higher Education Committee, said Blunt did not influence the committee's decision.
"I have not had any pressure from the governor's office," Rupp said. "Nor has anybody on the committee. People can look at one set of facts and come up with a different opinion."
Rupp said his main problem with Sterling's testimony was an inaccurate statement about Blunt.
"His wild accusation that the governor called (UM system President Elson) Floyd and threatened to withhold funding was completely untrue and hearsay," Rupp said.
Sterling said he made a mistake in adding that particular assertion to his testimony.
Chase acknowledged the intensity of his testimony to the committee.
"Mr. Sterling and I gave some very passionate testimony (Tuesday)," Chase said.
Chase first introduced himself as committee chairman Gayle Kingery, R-Poplar Bluff. He then apologized for "stealing" Kingery's name, likening his actions to the proposed name change.
Chase also asked a series of questions related to the bill, and implied if the representatives didn't know the answers, they should not vote on the bill.
"There's more research to be done on this bill," Chase said.
Committee members said the testimonies of Sterling and Chase were the most contentious.
"It was completely uncalled for," said Rupp.
Rupp said Chase's testimony angered him and other committee members.
"He said the committee was not educated enough to vote on this issue," Rupp said. "It angered me because I am an MU alumnus and it did a disservice to the MU name."
Rupp said one committee member, Rep. Tim Flook, R-Liberty, changed his mind about the bill because of testimony at the hearing.
The House has a new rule this year in which the Rules Committee can set a time limit on debate for contentious bills and divide the time equally between supporters and opponents.
The committee set a limit Wednesday of five hours, which Rupp said he felt was fair.
"We debated it very much last year," Rupp said. "Many people have already heard a lot of the arguments."
Chase said he was surprised there was any time at all to debate the bill.
"That's five hours more than I thought it would be," Chase said. "I'm happy that this bill will actually have time to be debated."
Other name changes included in the bill are: adding the "university" distinction to Missouri Western State College and Harris-Stowe State College" dropping the city designation for Missouri Southern State University-Joplin.
Central Missouri State University also would have to option to change its name to the University of Central Missouri.
The bill is slated to come to a full House debate early next week.
