Dems push for $111 million

By Mao Vang, Staff Writer
Dec. 1, 2006

Missouri's Democratic state representatives are pushing for an additional $111 million to fund higher education as early as July 1.

Rep. Jeff Harris, D-Columbia, said Speaker of the House Rod Jetton announced the state would have an extra $500 million in next year's budget.

If passed, the UM system could receive $55 million, and MU would receive $26-$28 million.

The $111 million increase is the amount the Higher Education Committee recommended. If passed, it would return the higher education budget to the level it was at during the 2002 fiscal year. State legislators will vote on the bill during the next legislative session beginning Jan. 3.

Harris said some Republicans are backtracking from this revenue projection.

"It looks like there is some disagreement with the speaker," Harris said. "I think if they are backtracking, the citizens need to know."

Harris wants legislators in Boone County to support this move because it would benefit MU. Harris said he thinks it is important to appropriate more money into higher education to have a more positive impact on the increasing cost of college.

In the previous five years, universities have been forced to raise tuition because of a decline in state funding.

If the bill passes the House, the money would go toward the institutions' operating budgets. The money could help lower the cost, allowing more students to afford receiving a post-secondary education while increasing student recruitment.

Rep. Allen Icet, R-Wildwood, said the state's calculations predicted more money for the state's budget. In addition, some departments don't spend the money they have, leaving more money for the next year.

Icet said the Democrats are pushing for the increase because of the "budget crisis" the state has undergone in the past several years and said he thinks the Democrats are trying to restore the budget to where it would have been with a 12 percent or more increase.

"There is money to spend, but it's important to prioritize to see where the money will be spent," Icet said. "We, as a state, still have significant obligations to balance and organize our priorities. The K-12 foundation formula and Medicaid will continue to grow throughout the year."

College Democrats President Nate Kennedy said he supports the push for lowering the cost of higher education.

"It won't make tuition dramatically more affordable, but will definitely help out with making it less expensive," Kennedy said.

Newly elected College Republicans President John Haynes said he prefers to see the money go back to Missouri families, but that he also supports education funding.

"If the state is going to use the surplus, I think you can't start any other place besides higher education," Haynes said.

Haynes said it's time the state focuses on the college funding to ensure Missouri colleges are in the top tier of educational institutions in the country.

Haynes said he prefers a grant-based system as opposed to a scholarship fund because he thinks scholarships should be awarded in cases of academic excellence as opposed to need.

Haynes said more funding is needed to ensure the educational system remains open to those who demonstrate the capability to excel in the environment.

He said he plans to meet and find out how the College Republicans can help the Republican representatives to use the surplus in the best manner possible.

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Dems push for $111 million

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