In this issue I discuss our state appropriation.

State budget includes increase for Missouri State

The Missouri General Assembly has passed the state’s budget for fiscal year 2016. I want to highlight two key components of the budget that significantly affect the University.

State legislature approves $1.325 million for health programs

In each of the past two years, the budget has included a $1,325,000 appropriation for the University’s occupational therapy program on the Springfield campus and allied health programs on the West Plains campus. This year, the House’s budget included a $1 million appropriation for these programs, and the Senate’s budget included the full $1,325,000 appropriation.

I am happy to report that the General Assembly went with the Senate’s budget number and appropriated the full $1,325,000. This, in addition to the Governor’s release of the remaining withheld funds from this appropriation for fiscal year 2015, is very good news.

MSU sees largest percentage increase of any university in the state

The General Assembly also included a performance and equity increase for all public four-year universities in the state. The average increase was 1.3 percent. Because of our successful achievement of all of our performance measures, and because the General Assembly included an equity component to the increase, we are receiving a 1.5 percent core funding increase. This is the largest percentile increase for any of the public four-year universities in Missouri this year. We believe this is also good news.

With the legislative budget process completed, the Executive Budget Committee will now begin to finalize its recommendations to the Board of Governors for the fiscal year 2016 budget. We will continue to advocate for the University’s other priorities throughout the remainder of the legislative session.

Thanks for all you do for Missouri State!