• In this issue:

  • Interim Committee conducts second hearing on higher education funding models
  • Medicaid Reform Commission hears testimony at final meeting
  • ASUM selects interns for next legislative session
  • Budget Chair visits University of Missouri leaders in Columbia
  • Legislators visit UMKC’s Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation
  • Rep. Muschany visits with ASUM at UM-St. Louis
  • Profile: Sen. Rob Mayer

Interim Committee conducts second hearing on higher education funding models

The Interim Committee on Student-Based Higher Education Funding Models conducted its second of four hearings Oct. 20 at Three Rivers Community College in Poplar Bluff. The committee was formed to review the concept of changing Missouri’s higher education funding method to include a student-based funding component as well as financial aid programs. Chaired by Rep. Carl Bearden (R-St. Charles), the committee is reviewing many aspects of HB742, a bill introduced by Bearden last session that would bring funding for higher education back to FY02 levels and then create a new student-based formula for allocating additional dollars to institutions. Much of the legislation is modeled after changes that Colorado recently made to its higher education system. [Read more…]

Medicaid Reform Commission hears testimony at final meeting

The Medicaid Reform Commission met Wednesday, Oct. 12 and Thursday, Oct. 13 to hear testimony on mental health and pharmacy issues. These hearings were the last of the formal meetings scheduled on specific subjects. The commission now plans to hold four days of work sessions for the purpose of developing a final report with recommendations to the governor and the General Assembly. [Read more…]

ASUM selects interns for next legislative session

Front row l-r: Jon Lorenz, UMC; Megan Block, Asst.
Legislative Director, UMC; Dianna Meyers, UMR;
Scott Johnson, Legislative Director, UMR. Middle
row l-r: Mary Mann, UMC; Justin Stanek, UMC; A.J.
Hammack, UMKC; Warren Robinson, UMC; Sean
Crotty, UMC. Back row l-r: Kennishia Norris, UMC;
David Greene, UMKC. Not pictured: Carlo Manaois,
UMSL.

The Associated Students of the University of Missouri (ASUM) is a student organization representing all four campuses of the University of Missouri that advocates student issues in Jefferson City and Washington, D.C. Throughout its 30-year history, ASUM has educated students about the governmental process and enhanced their political awareness and participation. ASUM has selected students who will be leading the legislative lobbying effort for the 2006 legislative session. The legislative interns, who earn six credit hours, are registered as lobbyists with the state of Missouri and work at the Capitol several days per week in order to advocate for ASUM Legislative Policy.

Budget Chair visits University of Missouri leaders in Columbia

Rep. Brad Lager (R-Maryville), chair of the House Budget Committee, visited Columbia Oct. 20-21 to meet with University leaders and tour areas of campus. Lager had the opportunity to learn details of the University’s budgeting process, the impact of rising health care and fuel costs, and how recent budget challenges in Missouri have been addressed with the University of Missouri. Lager also toured MU’s School of Medicine, the Life Sciences Center and the nearby Sears Greenhouses, and heard about the University’s economic development initiatives.

Legislators visit UMKC’s Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation

Sen. Charles Wheeler (D-Kansas City), Rep. Beth Low (D-Kansas City), and Rep. Ray Salva (D-Sugar Creek) attended a breakfast hosted by UM-Kansas City’s Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (IEI) on Oct. 11. The breakfast introduced legislators to the institute, which was created to help students across all disciplines at UMKC become entrepreneurs and innovators and to establish entrepreneurship as a mainstream field of study.
[Read more…]

Rep. Muschany visits with ASUM at UM-St. Louis

Rep. Muschany with Thomas Helton of ASUM.

Rep. Scott Muschany (R-Frotenac) visited UM-St. Louis on Oct. 12 as part of the Associated Students of the University of Missouri “Lunch with a Legislator” series. Muschany met with students, faculty and staff in the Millennium Student Center over lunch in an informal question-and-answer session. He spoke extensively about health care, Medicaid and K-12 education. “Lunch with a Legislator” is a regular series sponsored by ASUM and serves as an opportunity for students to meet face-to-face with their representatives and discuss issues important to them. Next month’s guest will be Senate Appropriations Chair Chuck Gross (R-St. Charles).

Profile: Sen. Rob Mayer

Sen. Rob Mayer (R-Dexter) received a bachelor’s degree in political science from Southeast Missouri State University and a juris doctorate from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Mayer, who has fond memories from his time at the UMKC Law School, recently was awarded the 2005 Alumni Achievement Award from UMKC. “I am grateful to the administration and certainly all my teachers and faculty at UMKC for providing an outstanding legal education,” Mayer said.
[Read more…]