I wanted to give you an update on the legislative session in Jefferson City. We have been engaged on many issues this year. I have testified on several bills as have other administrators at Missouri State.
Key budget items
Last week, the House of Representatives passed a budget. The House’s budget consolidated our $1.3 million appropriation for the occupational therapy program on the Springfield campus and health programs on the West Plains campus into our core appropriation.
The House’s budget also included a new $2 million line item to expand our collaborative engineering program with Missouri University of Science and Technology. The House’s budget included a 2 percent performance increase for higher education institutions.
However, that increase is paid out of a surplus revenue fund, which would mean that the additional funds would not be received until the end of the year, and only if state revenues reach a certain level. The impact is that we would not be able to budget the performance funding increase for the next fiscal year.
The budget will now move to the Senate, and we will work to maintain the progress we made in the House and to improve our position on the performance funding increase.
Concealed carry bills update
We continue to oppose legislation that would allow students and others with concealed carry permits to carry firearms on campus. A new bill was filed in the House by Rep. Jered Taylor last week.
While we still have concerns about this bill, it would allow public universities more flexibility to regulate the possession of firearms on campus.
The Senate bills have not yet been voted out of the Transportation, Infrastructure, and Public Safety committee, but we expect that to occur in the near future. We remain concerned about and have been actively engaged on these bills.
Expanding degree opportunities
I was joined last week by leaders at other public universities in the state to testify in support of the degree legislation I discussed in a prior Clif’s Note.
This legislation is critical to allowing Missouri State and other public universities in the state to develop professional and doctoral programs to serve the needs of the state.
The legislation has very strong opposition. To the extent you have contacts with our elected leaders in Jefferson City, I would encourage you to reach out to them in support of this legislation.
Thanks for all you do for Missouri State!
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- Clif’s Notes for April 9, 2024 - April 9, 2024
- Clif’s Notes for April 2, 2024 - April 2, 2024
- Clif’s Notes for March 26, 2024 - March 26, 2024
- Clif’s Notes for March 19, 2024 - March 19, 2024
- Clif’s Notes for March 5, 2024 - March 5, 2024
- Clif’s Notes for Feb. 27, 2024 - February 27, 2024
- Clif’s Notes for Feb. 20, 2024 - February 20, 2024
- Clif’s Notes for Feb. 13, 2024 - February 13, 2024
- Clif’s Notes for Feb. 6, 2024 - February 6, 2024