Disaster relief funding cited as one reason for wide-ranging higher education budget cuts in Missouri
The Missourian
June 11, 2011
University of Missouri System is being "punished" for increasing tuition, according to four of Columbia's representatives, with a cut in state funds to provide more money for disaster relief.
Sen. Kurt Schaefer, Rep. Chris Kelly, Rep. Stephen Webber, and Rep. Mary Still gathered at the steps of Jesse Hall Friday evening to show support for the university after Gov. Jay Nixon's Friday morning announcement that he will cut funding for public colleges and universities in Missouri.
The UM System will receive an 8.1 percent cut in state funds next year, instead of the 5.4 percent reduction previously proposed by lawmakers, Schaefer said.
The $172 million in budget cuts will take effect July 1, when the fiscal year begins, according to an Associated Press article.
This will be the third year in a row Nixon has cut state funding for education, Schaefer said. He described the cuts as an "ongoing trend" for the governor.
"Keep in mind that the governor gave nobody a preview that he was going to do this," Schaefer said.
Kelly said there are several reasonable solutions to the Joplin problem, but "to hide behind the rubble of Joplin to cut the university is inappropriate."
