Nixon addresses Mo. tuition freeze
A Senate committee removed an additional $15 million from higher education.
Published April 9, 2010
The tuition freeze deal Gov. Jay Nixon made with public university presidents is in danger after the Senate Appropriations Committee approved the entire state budget, which has an additional $15 million cut from higher education.
Sen. Kurt Schaefer, R-Columbia, is on the committee and said the House sent $50 million in higher education cuts to the Senate after passing the budget in its chamber.
Chairman Rob Mayer, R-Dixon, then proposed the additional cuts, Schaefer said.
"The chairman proposed an additional $15 million in cuts, which I vehemently opposed," Schaefer said. "But I was overruled by the committee."
Despite that action by the committee, Nixon said in an address to local business leaders Wednesday at the Reynolds Alumni Center, universities should be rewarded for stepping up and taking a budget cut early on.
"I will do everything within my power, and I don't consider that power insubstantial, to make sure that we live up to that deal that strikes the balance we need," he said.
Because the Senate committee made this change doesn't mean it's a done deal, Mizzou Legislative Network Committee Chairman Wally Pfeffer said.
"In a moment of challenge, when it comes to Jefferson City, it's hard to remember that 'Yeah there's always another door you can get through that can solve the problem,' " said Pfeffer, an alumnus.
Chancellor Brady Deaton said MU would move forward on tuition prices for the next year with the freeze in place.
The UM Board of Curators will approve next year's tuition totals during its meeting next week. If the deal falls through, the board can raise tuition by a maximum of 2.1 percent.
This is the increase in the Consumer Price Index over the past year according to a March 18 release by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Under a 2007 law, tuition increases are tied to the CPI.
The average tuition for an in-state student at MU is $8,500 according to the MU Office of Undergraduate Admissions. A 2.1 percent increases means it would increase by $178.50.
Deaton, who was at Nixon's address, said students shouldn't fear a tuition increase happening.
"I think we're all aware that the national economy and the state economy is going through some real trying times, and I suspect most families, being prudent, are making plans accordingly," Deaton said. "Really that's the best all of us can do at this time."
Nixon's remarks came as he reiterated his plan for "right-sizing" state government.
"That's what this blueprint is all about," Nixon said. "Refocusing priorities and doing fewer tings, but doing them more efficiently, effectively and with greater accountability to taxpayers."
The plan includes many cost-saving measures aimed at bridging the state's $500 million budget gap. Many of the points he made in front of alumni, faculty and students were similar to the proposals he introduced in Springfield about three weeks ago.
During his remarks Nixon also clarified his stance on Access Missouri Scholarships. In Springfield, Nixon said the state couldn't continue to subsidize the choice to attend a private school.
Access Missouri scholarships are need-based and state funded. Public school students can get between $1,000 and $2,150 and private college students are eligible for $2,000 to $4,600 per year from the program, according to previous Maneater reports.
At the time, spokesman Scott Holste confirmed the governor wanted to do away with state-funded, private university scholarships.
On Wednesday, the governor supported efforts underway in the state legislature to equalize the amounts and not get rid of private school scholarships entirely.
"Needy students deserve the same level of support, no matter where they decide to go to college, and I applaud the change," Nixon said.