Education
After hitting record appropriations levels in FY 2002, higher education funding suffered several years of cuts or flat spending. As a result, tuition at public colleges and universities increased substantially, making it harder for Missouri students to afford a college education.
Seven years after the high-water mark year of 2002, higher education appropriations still haven’t recovered. The Governor’s proposal for an additional $40 million for the fiscal year 2009 college and university operating budget still falls short of FY 2002 appropriations.
Substantially more funding is needed to provide public colleges and universities the level of support they need. House Democrats propose an increase of at least $50.4 million to restore higher education appropriations to the FY 2002 level.
The House Democratic proposal of $10.4 million more than what the Governor proposes is a reasonable compromise that House Republicans should be willing to accept if they consider higher education to be a priority.