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Missouri's Governor Matt Blunt was in Springfield today on the Missouri State University campus for a ceremonial bill signing. The legislation takes 335 million dollars from MOHELA, the state's student loan agency and directs that money to college construction projects and scholarships. But critics of the plan have filed a petition to let voters decide if this is a good idea. KSMU's Missy Shelton reports.
Missouri's Governor Matt Blunt was in Springfield today on the Missouri State University campus for a ceremonial bill signing. The legislation takes 335 million dollars from MOHELA, the state's student loan agency and directs that money to college construction projects and scholarships.
Standing in front of Siceluff Hall, Blunt noted that Missouri State will receive approximately 35 million dollars.
Missouri State officials say the scholarship component will benefit 3 thousand students on the campus who will qualify for new assistance through the program.
Orlando Hodges, Student Body President at Missouri State says that's important.
Critics of the college construction program say diverting funds away from the MOHELA, the state's student loan agency could end up costing students more.
In fact, earlier today, Allan Purdy, a man who helped create MOHELA filed a petition to let voters decide whether to let the plan proceed. The question will go on the ballot if the petition has signatures from five percent of the voters in six of the state's nine congressional districts.
Supporters of using MOHELA proceeds for college construction projects say it will not cause interest rates to increase.
Another issue that has caused some concern is a provision that limits the ability of universities to raise tuition above the level of inflation. Institutions that disregard this provision will lose five percent of their state funding unless the coordinating board of higher education grants them a waiver.
Missouri State University President Michael Nietzel says this policy is consistent with what has been happening at Missouri State.
Finally, the bill includes a provision that prevents universities and colleges from refusing to hire a lawmaker with at least 8 years of experience solely because that lawmaker does not have a master's degree.
