MDN.ORG:
Missouri Digital News
MDN.ORG
Mo. Digital News
Missouri Digital News
MDN.ORG:
Mo. Digital News
MDN.ORG:
Missouri Digital News
MDN.ORG:
Missouri Digital News
MDN.ORG
Mo. Digital News
Missouri Digital News
MDN.ORG:
Mo. Digital News
MDN.ORG:
Missouri Digital News
JEFFERSON CITY - Higher education and the University of Missouri system were among the big winners in the governor's budget proposals presented to state lawmakers Wednesday.
Under the governor's proposal, state funds for the University's general education budget would increase 5.7 percent -- for a total of $417.9 million.
Overall, higher education would get a 6.0 percent increase in general revenue while the total state budget in general revenue would increase 5.0 percent.
General revenue covers state funds lawmakers are free to appropriate as they wish. It does not include federal funds and income raised by agencies such as student fees.
The legislature appropriates one lump sum for the University system's general operating budget. The governor's recommendation does not indicate a campus-by-campus breakdown.
The governor's recommendations include a $15 million allotment to the University of Missouri for mission enhancement. Besides receiving more than half of the allocated funds for mission enhancement, MU could receive about $11.2 million for the new Business and Public Administration building, if the governor's recommendations are approved by the Missouri General Assembly.
"One reason the governor increased funding is because higher education is a priority of the governor and it's critical to prepare people for the rest of their lives and employment," said the governor's budget director, Mark Ward.
Dean Bruce Walker of MU's School of Business and Public Administration expressed pleasure at the governor's recommendations.
"We are pleased that he seems to feel -as we do- that providing the modern facilities necessary to train our future business leaders is a good investment for the citizens of the state of Missouri," Walker said in a prepared statement.
"These state funds will be combined with over $8 million in private funds. If we achieve full funding we plan to break ground on the new building this September," Walker said.
Rep. Ted Farnen, D-Mexico, said from what he thought MU had little to complain about.
"Given the amount of discretionary income that's going to be available this year, I think the University made out very well in the governor's recommendations," he said. "From what I know right now I don't have any complaints. I was hoping there would be a special appropriation to help the University Hospital and Clinics with indigent care."
UM System Lobbyist Jim Snider said he had nothing to complain about when he saw the governor's budget plans.
"We always send it (a list of priorities) to the state government with the understanding that they'll do the best they can do," he said. "I'm very pleased with the governor's budget recommendations especially with the state's current money situation."
Although most of the increases are to offset inflationary costs, some programs will see additional funds to increase their services.
The Missouri Education and Research Network could see a $1.2 million increase in state funding.
MOREnet provides high speed internet access to institutions such as state colleges and universities, the state government and public education by creating a five-hub connecting backbone.
"Half of that money is inflationary," MOREnet Information Officer Todd Krupa said. "There's a piece in there that will include a video conferencing capability."
Perhaps the biggest change seen in Columbia from these funds could be an increase in capacity for MU's connection to the backbone.
"There are a handful of institutions that demonstrate the need for a larger capacity than they currently have," Krupa said. "Part of that money will go to getting a larger capacity connection for those institutions."
The Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Program will be receiving about the same amount as it did last year. Approximately $250,000 will go to fund research projects.
"The appropriation was enough to fund eight projects related to Alzheimer's," ADRD Director Armon Yanders said. "Alzheimer's disease is a major problem in the United States and will increase as a problem as Americans get older."
State funds go to sponsor smaller research projects at the state level. These projects receive no more that $30,000 a piece. Yanders said funded project findings hopefully catch the eyes of larger agencies such as the National Institute for Health after spending state money. New funds will continue to be allocated to these projects.