The General Assembly truly agreed to and finally passed the thirteen FY 2014 budget bills on May 9. Earlier in the week, the Appropriations conference committee met to resolve differences between the House and Senate versions of the bills. House Bill 3, the higher education funding bill, will allocate an operating appropriation of $395,220,620 to the University of Missouri System.

The committee agreed on a compromise position for performance funding, appropriating an additional $25 million. The new funds are contained in their own line item and will be distributed to public higher education institutions based on the number of performance measures that are met. The committee also agreed to retain the $10 million added by the Senate for a cooperative program between the MU School of Medicine and CoxHealth and Mercy health systems in Springfield. The bill also contains an additional $400,000 for the State Historical Society.

Other non-conference items benefiting the University of Missouri System include an additional $1 million for the large animal veterinary program at MU and an additional $250,000 for the Missouri Kidney Program.

The bills will be delivered to the Governor and must be signed by the end of the current fiscal year, which ends on June 30.  The Governor has line item veto authority on appropriations bills.

Bonding resolution moves to Senate

The Missouri House of Representatives third read and passed House Joint Resolution 14 on May 9. If approved by voters, the resolution would authorize bonds for the purpose of funding capital projects throughout the state, including projects on the campuses of the state’s higher education institutions. The resolution, sponsored by Speaker of the House Tim Jones (R-Eureka), passed by a vote of 136 to 23. The Senate first read the bill on the same day and could refer the bill to committee as early as May 13.

Senate gives final approval to higher education funding formula plan

On May 9, the Senate gave final approval to Senate Bill 437, which would create a funding formula for public higher education institutions. Sponsored by Sen. David Pearce (R-Warrensburg), the bill was approved by a 23-9 vote and will now move to the House, where no companion legislation has been considered.

The University of Missouri System and other public four-year institutions oppose the bill because the latest version represents a significant shift in future funding from four-year schools to two-year community colleges. The bill also fails to incorporate weightings for professional programs to the level requested by the University of Missouri System. Those concerns were the primary reasons for a filibuster of SB 437 on the Senate floor last week.

With just one week to go in the legislative session, it is unlikely that the bill will be in a position for floor consideration in the House before the end of session on May 17. It is anticipated that higher education institutions will continue discussions over the summer and fall with the Joint Committee on Education, which developed the formula.

House, Senate send compromise tax cut bill to the Governor

This week, the House and the Senate both passed House Bill 253, a bill that cuts taxes for individuals and corporations, and sent the bill to the Governor’s desk. Sponsored by Rep. TJ Berry (R-Kearney), HB 253 does not include the sales tax increase that was part of earlier tax measures debated this session. Instead, it establishes a graduated income tax reduction that is tied to a trigger, which is meant to prevent further tax cuts during years when state revenues do not grow by $100 million.

The bill’s fiscal note estimates that revenues will decrease by $700 million when fully phased in, although one organization, the Missouri Budget Project, places the reduction in future revenues at $800 million or more. Opponents argue that the details of the bill are poorly written and that the bill may result in much larger revenue reductions. They also say lost revenues would be better put to use by supporting elementary, secondary, and higher education and other state priorities.

The Senate spent several hours on the measure earlier in the week before passing it on May 8 by a 24-9 vote. The House passed the bill on May 9 by a 103-51 vote. The bill now goes to the Governor for consideration.

Extension proposals lined up for passage in final week

The proposal to allow MU Extension to form single- or multi-county Extension districts is positioned for final passage during the last week of the legislative session. The proposal is a priority of the University to help streamline delivery of Extension programming and provide a local funding option in counties that may need it.

The statutory language is included in House Bill 542, an omnibus agriculture bill, which just needs a final vote on the House floor before being sent to the Governor. The language is also in both Senate and House versions of Senate Bill 9, a second omnibus agriculture bill that is now in a House-Senate conference committee where differences are being reconciled. Because the Extension language is identical in both versions of SB 9, it is not a conference item and will be included in whatever version the conference committee brings forward. For final passage, the conference committee’s report will need one vote each in the Senate and in the House.

Bill to prevent federal student loan interest rates from doubling on July 1 filed in US House

Legislation related to student loan interest rates was filed in Congress this week. The “Smarter Solutions for Students Act,” or HR 1911, was filed on May 9 by John Kline (R-MN), Chairman of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, and Virginia Foxx (R-NC), Chairwoman of the  Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Training.

Under current law, the interest rate for undergraduate subsidized and unsubsidized student loans is set to increase from 3.4 percent to 6.8 percent on July 1. HR 1911 would change this so that the interest rate for these loans is calculated based on the 10-year Treasury Note plus 2.5 percent. The interest rate for graduate and parent PLUS loans would be calculated based on the 10-year Treasury Note plus 4.5 percent under HR 1911. The proposal would reset once per year and cap interest rates at 8.5 and 10.5 percent, respectively.

Differences between House and Senate positions on the FY 2014 state budget bills will be negotiated by a conference committee next week. Hearings are currently scheduled for May 6, 7, and 8 on all bills, including House Bill 3, the higher education funding bill. Senate conferees on HB 3 are Sens. Kurt Schaefer (R-Columbia), Scott Rupp (R-St. Charles), Mike Kehoe (R-Jefferson City), Kiki Curls (D-Kansas City), and Gina Walsh (D-Bellefontaine Neighbors). The House chose to appoint only three conferees for each bill this year, rather than the typical five members. House conferees on HB 3 are Reps. Rick Stream (R-Kirkwood), Tom Flanigan (R-Carthage), and Genise Montecillo (D-St. Louis).

A few major differences exist between the Senate and House positions on HB 3. The Senate recommended $34 million in additional funding to be distributed according to an institution’s performance, which mirrors the Governor’s recommendation. The House chose to include $20 million in additional funds to be allocated according to the distribution method currently used for two- and four-year institutions.

The Senate also added $10 million in new funding for a cooperative medical training program between the MU School of Medicine and CoxHealth and Mercy health systems in Springfield.

In addition, the Senate added $1.3 million in new funding to help establish an Occupational Therapy program at Missouri State University’s Springfield and West Plains campuses. Differences in scholarship funding amounts will also need to be worked out by the conference committee. The Senate and the House have until May 10 to send the budget bills to the Governor.

April revenue collections announced

On May 2, State Budget Director Linda Luebbering announced that 2013 fiscal year-to-date net general revenue collections increased 11.2 percent compared to 2012. Net general revenue collections for April 2013 increased by 27.4 percent compared to those for April 2012.

Bonding resolution debated by House

The House of Representatives brought up House Joint Resolution 14 for floor debate on May 2. The resolution, if approved by voters, would authorize up to $1.2 billion in bonds to be used for capital projects across the state, including projects on the campuses of state higher education institutions. After a small amount of debate, the resolution received preliminary approval by a voice vote. It needs one more vote in the House before moving to the Senate.

Senate debates new higher education funding formula bill but takes no vote

On May 2, senators brought up Senate Bill 437, which enacts a new funding formula model for public higher education institutions. The formula emerged from work of the Joint Committee on Education over the past year. The Senate perfected the bill last week, but it needs a final vote before it can be sent to the House.

The bill, sponsored by Sen. David Pearce (R-Warrensburg), has stirred controversy within the higher education sector because the latest version of the model would result in a shift in future funding. Currently, four-year institutions receive about 85 percent of higher education funding and community colleges receive about 15 percent. The model would change this ratio to 70 percent for four-year institutions and 30 percent for community colleges.

Sen. Kurt Schaefer (R-Columbia) and Sen. Dan Brown (R-Rolla) were among those who questioned Sen. Pearce and other senators about changes in the bill. The Council on Public Higher Education, which represents all public four-year institutions in the state, is opposed to the current version. The University of Missouri System has also raised several concerns about the formula, including its weighting of professional programs.

Extension districting proposal added to agriculture bill

A proposal to allow MU Extension to form single- or multi-county districts to improve programming at the local level was added to an omnibus agriculture bill on the Senate floor this week. Sen. David Pearce (R-Warrensburg) added the language to House Bill 542, an agriculture bill sponsored by Rep. Warren Love (R-Osceola). The Extension language is also in Senate Bill 9, which is sponsored by Sen. Pearce and currently on the House Calendar, and House Bill 202, which is awaiting report to the floor from the Senate Education Committee.

UMSL honors Missouri State Treasurer Clint Zweifel

Missouri State Treasurer and UMSL alumnus Clint Zweifel received the Outstanding Public Service Award at UMSL’s Salute to Business Achievement Awards Ceremony on April 16.

Legislators tour agriculture, veterinary medicine facilities

Several members of the House Agriculture Policy Committee came to MU on April 29 to tour the large animal hospital in the College of Veterinary Medicine, the Meat Sciences facilities in the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, and the Bradford Research Farm near Columbia. Legislators participating in the tour included Rep. Bill Reiboldt (R-Neosho), Rep. Warren Love (R-Osceola), Rep. Sue Meredith (D-St. Louis), Rep. Jay Houghton (R-Martinsburg), Rep. Randy Pike (R-Adrian), and Rep. Randy Dunn (D-Kansas City).

Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler visits MU to learn about electromagnetic pulse research

MU Extension Council and administrators visit Capitol Hill

After several hours of debate and the addition of several amendments, the Senate gave first round approval to Senate Bill 437 on April 24. The bill, which creates a funding formula for the state’s higher education institutions, will have to be brought up for a final vote before being sent to the House for consideration. It is the product of work by the Joint Committee on Education over the past 18 months, and the legislation is sponsored by Sen. David Pearce (R-Warrensburg).

The formula provides a framework for how lawmakers could appropriate funds to public two-year and four-year institutions in the future. Of concern to the University of Missouri System is that, as currently written, the formula would reduce UM’s share of overall future higher education funding from 49 percent to 36 percent, with a majority of the additional dollars going to the state’s community colleges. The bill also ties 10 percent of core funding to meeting performance goals and another 10 percent to the success of graduates finding jobs. The Council on Public Higher Education, representing all of the public four-year institutions across the state, including the University of Missouri System campuses, is opposing the legislation and encouraging lawmakers not to pass the bill in its current form.

House Budget Committee revises bonding proposal for higher education

The resolution authorizing bonding for capital projects, including projects on the state’s two- and four-year university campuses, was returned to the House Budget committee this week for further consideration. House Joint Resolution 14, sponsored by Rep. Tim Jones (R-Eureka), would authorize up to $1.2 billion in bonds for a number of critical state capital projects. In the current version, the committee included $600 million for higher education projects, of which 20 percent must go to community colleges. Institutions would also be required to make a 15 percent match for the funds received. $100 million is included for capital needs at the State Capitol building and $40 million could be used for projects at state parks. Fulton State Hospital would be authorized to receive up to $200 million for the construction of a new facility. The committee also elected to include $20 million to create a revolving fund for elementary and secondary schools to receive low interest loans, which could be repaid over time through an offset of the schools’ foundation formula allocation.

The resolution also creates a State Building and Infrastructure Revolving Fund, consisting of the remaining balance of the bonds. The fund would cover all other projects, such as state buildings, ports, projects for rural water consortia, surface lake projects, urban economic development projects, and utilities infrastructure, among other uses. Rep. Caleb Rowden (R-Columbia) successfully offered an amendment to include the State Historical Society in the list of possible projects.

Also included in the resolution is the creation of a Taxpayer Protection Commission to oversee any funds appropriated from the fund, if voters approve the proposal. The committee approved the new substitute and the resolution awaits a hearing in the House Rules Committee.

House adopts new version of tax plan

On April 24, the House passed Senate Bill 26, sponsored by Sen. Will Kraus (R-Lee’s Summit), after making several changes to the legislation. The bill, which overhauls the state’s tax system, was passed by the Senate earlier this month, and now it faces a final vote on the Senate floor to confirm the changes made by the House. If the Senate concurs with the version of the bill passed by the House, the bill could be adopted and sent to the Governor. If the Senate does not concur with the version of the bill passed by the House, a conference committee will be charged with the task of working out the differences between the two versions.

The House version of SB 26 increases sales taxes by 0.6 cents over the next five years. Of this amount, 0.2 cents are devoted to mental health facilities. The bill also lowers the personal income tax, several corporate taxes, and includes a tax amnesty proposal. House members also incorporated a trigger requiring that no tax cuts go into effect until state revenues grow by at least $100 million. The bill is a response to major tax reductions passed by Kansas last year, which many argue have made Missouri a comparatively less attractive place for businesses, especially in the Kansas City area.

Budget analysts predict the bill will result in a state revenue reduction of between $400 million and $500 million per year, with some outside groups placing the impact at a much higher rate. Education organizations have raised concerns about this reduction because K-12 and higher education are areas that potentially could be cut if the state brings in less general revenue. In the House, the bill was adopted by a vote of 90-68, which does not constitute a veto-proof majority.

Missouri S&T Chancellor Cheryl Schrader meets with House leadership

On April 16, constituents of Rep. Keith Frederick (R-Rolla) visited the Capitol to meet with Speaker of the House Tim Jones (R-Eureka) and discuss the needs of the Rolla community. Among them was Missouri S&T Chancellor Cheryl Schrader, who discussed a number of higher education priorities including the new funding formula and the importance of the bonding proposal.

Congress begins Higher Education Act reauthorization process by seeking input

Republican and Democratic leaders of the US House Committee on Education and the Workforce released a letter calling for feedback on reauthorization of the Higher Education Act (HEA). The committee is requesting that students, parents, college leaders, and higher education stakeholders share their views on policies expected to be included in the upcoming reauthorization.

The HEA, which is currently set to expire on January 1, 2014, both authorizes and limits federal spending on certain scholarships, grants, and student loans. It also sets policies such as requirements for exit counseling, campus safety disclosures, transfer credit policies, and many other provisions. Click here to read the committee’s press release.

The Senate Appropriations committee, chaired by Sen. Kurt Schaefer (R-Columbia), finished its work on the FY14 budget bills on April 17. The bills are scheduled for floor debate in the Senate on April 22. In House Bill 3, the higher education funding bill, the committee decided to include $34 million in additional funding, which may be awarded to institutions on the basis of how many performance measures are met. The amount constitutes a $14 million increase over the House version of the bill. The committee also elected to add back the small portions removed by the House from each institution’s operating budget in order to create a veterans tuition assistance fund. The change was initially made due to uncertainty about the continuation of federal veterans’ tuition assistance under sequestration. That issue has been resolved, so the committee agreed there was no longer a need for the language.

The House added $1 million to UM’s operating budget for the large animal veterinary medicine program and the Senate committee agreed. The committee also took the House recommendation on the UM-related items in the budget, awarding funding level with FY13 to the Telemedicine program, Missouri Rehabilitation Center in Mt. Vernon, the Spinal Cord Injury Fund, and the Missouri Federal and State Technology partnership (otherwise known as MOFAST). The committee also agreed with the House in adding $250,000 to the Missouri Kidney Program. The State Historical Society would receive a $400,000 increase under the Senate plan, which is a $100,000 reduction from the House version due to the fact that the Society received $100,000 in a released withholding earlier this fiscal year.

The bill also includes a few new decision items benefiting the University of Missouri, including $10 million to increase the medical student class size at MU through a public-private partnership with CoxHealth and Mercy in Springfield. The funds will provide thirty additional medical school graduates per year to help address the physician shortage in southwest Missouri. A new line was also added in the amount of $620,000 for fire fighter safety training, which is a service provided through MU Extension.

House Ways and Means Committee advances tax bill

Senate Bill 26, sponsored by Sen. Will Kraus (R-Lee’s Summit), is a bill that would increase the statewide sales tax and decrease income and corporate taxes. The bill was passed by the House Ways and Means Committee on April 16. Concern has arisen in the education community about the reduction in state general revenue that could potentially result from the implementation of the bill, which would decrease funds available to fund elementary and secondary as well as higher education.

By a vote of 7-5, the House committee adopted a substitute version of the bill  that includes a reduction of the tax cuts, an additional increase in the sales tax, and earmarking of some of the funds for transportation and mental health. The new version of the bill also includes a tax amnesty program and a trigger mechanism to prevent the tax cuts from going into effect until state revenues rise to a certain level. The bill must now be considered by the full House and, if passed, reconciled in a Senate-House conference committee prior to May 17.

Extension bills take on additional agriculture proposals

This week, the House Agri-Business Committee voted out two different agriculture omnibus bills that both contain the University of Missouri’s Extension districting proposal, which is a UM legislative priority this year. A committee substitute for Senate Bill 9, sponsored by Sen. David Pearce (R-Warrensburg), now contains a dozen additional agriculture proposals, but the Extension language remains unchanged. On April 18, the committee passed a substitute version of Senate Bill 342, sponsored by Sen. Mike Parson (R-Bolivar), that also includes the Extension language among other provisions. Both bills will need to be considered by the Rules Committee before being reported to the floor, where they will be taken up by the full House.

The Extension bill making its way through the Senate, House Bill 202, sponsored by Rep. Bill Rieboldt (R-Neosho), is awaiting report from the Senate Education Committee, after which it will be placed on the Senate calendar for floor debate. Both chambers approved the basic Extension language by wide margins earlier in the session.

MU Extension holds workshop for legislators at the Capitol

On April 15, representatives from MU Extension visited the State Capitol to train legislators and staffers on accessing maps and demographic data that can help legislators better understand the composition of their districts. Several legislators participated in the workshop with members of their staff.

University scientists testify on resolution encouraging mining of thorium in Missouri

Three UM researchers were among scientists testifying this week in support of a resolution that encourages the mining of the element thorium. House Concurrent Resolution 32, sponsored by Rep. Dave Schatz (R-Sullivan), has been introduced the last two years. The resolution has helped members of the House Utilities Committee understand the prospect of processing thorium mined from Missouri locations. Testifying on the resolution on April 17 were Associate Director for Special Projects at the MU Research Reactor Michael Flagg, MU Chemical Engineering Professor Dr. Patrick Pinhero, and Missouri S&T Associate Professor of Mining and Nuclear Engineering Dr. Shoaib Usman.

Immigration reform legislation filed in US Senate

On April 17, Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and seven other senators filed S 744, the “Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act” after spending three months drafting the legislation.

The legislation includes the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act, which allows illegal immigrants who entered the United States before the age of 16 and have completed a high school diploma or GED to obtain Registered Provisional Immigrant (RPI) status.

As outlined in the bill, 120,000 visas will be allocated according to a points system at first. Factors such as the applicant’s education and employment, whether the applicant has family living in the US, and the applicant’s length of residence in the US will form the basis for awarding points. Half of these merit visas will be set aside for high-skilled individuals, and half will be for lower-skilled workers.

The H-1B visa program for non-immigrants is also changed in the proposed legislation to nearly double the H-1B visas offered, which brings the total number of H-1B visas up to 110,000. The bill also creates the INVEST visa, a visa for foreign entrepreneurs who seek to come to the US to start their own companies. This 3-year visa will be available for immigrant entrepreneurs who have a qualified investor in the US, and it can be renewed if certain benchmarks relating to jobs and revenue are met.

These components of the bill propose a pathway to American citizenship for the roughly 11 million people living in the United States illegally. The bill also authorizes $4.5 billion in federal spending to hire additional border control agents and strengthen fences along the borders and allows the use of drones to locate places where individuals are crossing into the United States illegally.

For the official outline of the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act, click here.

This week, the Senate Appropriations Committee, chaired by Sen. Kurt Schaefer (R-Columbia), reviewed the FY 2014 budget bills including HB3, the higher education funding bill.  While the actual committee substitutes are not yet drafted, the committee came to a number of agreements on its version of the bills. The first walk through was completed this week and the committee is expected to make its remaining decisions and release drafts of the bills early next week.

Senate Education Committee adopts funding formula for higher education

The Senate Education Committee on Wednesday took up and passed SB 437 sponsored by Sen. David Pearce (R-Warrensburg), which would codify a new funding formula model for higher education.  The proposal emerged from a report developed by the Joint Committee on Education over the past several months.

Committee members adopted an amendment by Sen. Doug Libla (R-Poplar Bluff) to remove consideration of local funding matches for community colleges, resulting in an increase in available funds for the community college sector.  Other amendments offered by Sen. Maria Chappelle-Nadal (D-St. Louis) to adjust the formula’s weightings for four-year institutions and for professional schools were defeated.  An amendment to require that performance funding in the model only apply to new funding instead of being 10 percent of the core was also defeated.  The bill will now be in position to move to the Senate floor for consideration.

University of Missouri System students meet with lawmakers to promote budget, bonding

About 100 students representing all four campuses of the UM System came to Jefferson City on Thursday, April 11, to meet with lawmakers to encourage support for University priorities. The students held a rally in the Rotunda in the morning where they heard from several lawmakers and received instructions for morning visits from leaders with the Associated Students of the University of Missouri.  The students then went throughout the building to meet with key lawmakers to encourage support for the operating budget, a bonding plan for higher education, and other priorities.  Many of the students were introduced before the Senate and House as the day’s business began.

Some of the UM students participating in April 11’s student lobby day in Jefferson City meet with Rep. Courtney Curtis (D-Berkeley) during visits in the Capitol.

House, Senate panels consider Extension districting proposals

Legislation to allow MU Extension to form Extension districts made progress in both chambers this week. Senate Bill 9, sponsored by Sen. David Pearce (R-Warrensburg), was heard before the House Agri-Business Committee on April 9.  Testimony was provided by Michael Ouart, Vice Provost for Extension; and Tony DeLong, County Council Coordinator for Extension. Missouri Farm Bureau, Mizzou Flagship Council, and the Mizzou Legislative Network of the Mizzou Alumni Association also went on record in support.  The committee did not take any action on the bill but is expected to consider it in executive session next week.

Meanwhile, a Senate Committee Substitute for HB202, sponsored by Rep. Bill Rieboldt (R-Neosho), was passed by the Senate Education Committee on April 10, by a 7-0 vote. The bill will now make its way to the Senate Calendar for consideration on the floor. The new substitute makes the bill identical to the Senate bill referenced above which has already passed the Senate.  The only change was the inclusion of language that exempts St. Louis County from participating in the districting option.

President Obama releases FY2014 budget

On April 10, President Barack Obama released his FY2014 budget. The President’s budget is regarded as a starting point for the federal appropriations process, and will not be adopted as proposed. The $3.77 trillion budget assumes that the cuts mandated by sequestration will be repealed and proposes tax and entitlement reform, reaching $1.8 trillion in deficit reduction over ten years.

A few of the provisions that directly affect the higher education community include:

• Increasing non-defense research and development funds by 9 percent over FY2012 levels.
• Making the American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC) permanent.
• Reorganizing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education programs across agencies to improve effectiveness of federal investments.

Student financial aid highlights include:

• Increasing the Pell Grant maximum award to $5,785, a $140 increase.
• Providing a $150 million increase in federal work study funds above FY12 levels, doubling the number of work study jobs over 5 years.
• Setting new student loan interest rates annually and based on the 10-year Treasury bill plus a specified mark-up based on the type of student loan. These final interest rates would be at a fixed-rate.

The U.S. House of Representatives and Senate will now begin their appropriations process, beginning with hearings and mark-ups of the appropriations bills. The federal FY2014 fiscal year begins on October 1.

Secretary of State visits UMSL’s Veterans Center

Secretary of State Jason Kander came to the University of Missouri – St. Louis on April 10 to visit the campus veterans center in Clark Hall. Kander discussed his military service and experiences as well as how these aspects of his life have translated to public service.

Secretary  of State Jason Kander (left) with UMSL Chancellor Tom George. 

The Alliance of Alumni Associations and Extension hosted the 39^th annual University of Missouri Legislative Day at the Capitol on April 3. Campuses and Extension featured displays on the third floor and participants visited legislators to discuss the University’s legislative and budget priorities. A rally was held in the first floor rotunda, where Speaker Tim Jones received a Presidential Citation award and addressed more than 400 attendees. President Tim Wolfe also spoke at the rally, noting the impact our alumni and Extension members have across the state. To see his remarks, click here.

The Alliance of Alumni Associations and Extension is a group of 40 members from all four of the University of Missouri campuses and Extension. The group was created by the Board of Curators in 1969 to foster cooperation and communication among the system campuses and to help university advocates speak with one voice when delivering messages to legislators, community leaders, and the public. MU Extension was added to the Alliance in 1994.

To see the press release UM issued about the event, click here.

 

To see additional photos from the event, click here.

Bonding resolution advances through House

House Joint Resolution 14, sponsored by Speaker Tim Jones (R-Eureka), was unanimously voted out of the House Budget Committee on April 3. The bill was heard and voted do pass by the House Rules Committee on April 4. The next step for the resolution will be debate on the House floor.

The Appropriations – Infrastructure and Job Creation Committee, to which HJR 14 was originally assigned, also met this week to discuss draft resolutions that outline the capital projects that will be funded if voters approve the measure.  The draft resolution contains higher education projects, including UM’s top priorities on each campus. The committee did not take any action on the resolution, electing to meet again for further discussion.

In other budget news, the FY 14 appropriations bills are scheduled to be heard in the Senate Appropriations Committee beginning on April 9. Additionally, March state general revenue collections have been released. March 2013 collections increased by 4.6 percent over March 2012, and year-to-date revenue collections increased by 8.3 percent as compared to last year at this time.

Extension legislation moving through committees

Legislation to enable MU Extension to form single- or multi-county districts to streamline programming and provide additional local funding options took a step forward in the Senate this week when House Bill 202 was heard before the Senate Education Committee on April 2. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Bill Reiboldt (R-Neosho) has already passed the House. The committee plans to vote on a substitute version of the bill on April 10 to make it identical to Senate Bill 9, which has already been passed by the Senate and includes an amendment to exempt St. Louis County from the districting option due to concerns raised by several St. Louis-area senators about expanding taxing authority.

Senate Bill 9, sponsored by Sen. David Pearce (R-Warrensburg), is also slated to be heard before the House Agri-Business Committee on April 9. This will position both Extension bills for floor consideration by the end of the month.

Chambers consider bills related to veteran residency status and transfer of credits

Veterans wishing to complete post-secondary education would benefit from several bills making their way through the General Assembly. Senate Bill 117, sponsored by Sen. Will Kraus, (R-Lee’s Summit), and House Bill 168, sponsored by Rep. Charlie Davis (R-Webb City), would both allow veterans who are not residents of Missouri to attend public institutions of higher education at in-state resident fees. Senate Bill 117 has passed the Senate and was approved by the House Veterans Committee this week. House Bill 168 passed the House this week and has been reported to the Senate. The bills do require that veterans be physically present in Missouri to qualify.

Both chambers are also considering bills to improve the process of transferring military training credits to institutions of higher education. House Bill 114, also sponsored by Rep. Davis, has been approved by his committee and is awaiting floor consideration in the House. The Senate companion bill, Senate Bill 106, sponsored by Sen. Dan Brown (R-Rolla), has passed the Senate and was approved by the House Veterans Committee this week. The University of Missouri System provided suggestions to clarify how credits would be considered by faculty or departments at the receiving institution, and that language has been incorporated into the bills.

House panel mulls major tax overhaul plan

Last month, senators adopted a sweeping tax bill that would lower individual income and corporate taxes, increase the state sales tax over five years, and make several other modifications in tax law. Senate Bill 26, sponsored by Sen. Will Kraus (R-Lee’s Summit), has been passed by the Senate and was considered by the House Ways and Means Committee on April 2. The committee took no action on the bill.

Lawmakers cited recent tax cut legislation in Kansas for the reason behind the major changes. Many education-related groups in Missouri, including the Council on Public Higher Education, which represents the public four-year institutions in the state, have raised concerns about the revenue receipt reductions that are anticipated if the bill becomes law. Fiscal notes estimate the legislation could result in $470 million to $1 billion in reduced revenue to the state. Services such as K-12 education and higher education could face cuts if revenue growth is impeded.

Committee votes on Medicaid bill

On April 3, The House Committee on Government Oversight and Accountability passed a Medicaid expansion proposal sponsored by its chairman, Rep. Jay Barnes (R-Jefferson City). House Bill 700 would establish the Show-Me Transformation Act and would change the laws regarding MO HealthNet, which is Missouri’s Medicaid program. The Rules Committee also passed the bill this week, and the next step will be debate on the House floor.

In related news, administrators from MU Health Care met with Columbia-area legislators to discuss Medicaid expansion and to review the needs of the University’s health care facilities.

UM System President Tim Wolfe also addressed Medicaid expansion in his comments to Legislative Day attendees on April 3. “The University serves the state through its many health care facilities, all of which serve the Medicaid population. I urge state leaders to work together and move forward on a plan for Medicaid expansion in Missouri. With much at stake for patients, employers, and their communities, I speak for all our University representatives and remain optimistic that partisan politics will not hinder our ability to find a balanced solution that meets the needs and values of all Missourians.”

UMSL Chancellor Tom George co-hosts St. Louis Regional Chamber Legislative Breakfast

University of Missouri-St. Louis Chancellor Tom George co-hosted the St. Louis Regional Chamber of Commerce Legislative Breakfast in Jefferson City on March 27.

The House of Representatives completed its initial work on the state’s FY 14 budget this week and sent the bills to the Senate. While a few modifications were made to certain bills during floor debate, no changes were recommended for the higher education funding bill, House Bill 3. Several attempts were made to add federal funds for Medicaid expansion, but the efforts were defeated. Hearings in the Senate could begin next week.

Bonding proposal advances

The House Budget committee, chaired by Rep. Rick Stream (R-Kirkwood), heard House Joint Resolution 14, the bonding proposal for higher education construction and capital improvements, on March 27. A good deal of discussion occurred about when the resolution would go on the ballot and the procedure for determining the projects eligible for funding, if the proposal is approved by the voters. The co-sponsor, Rep. Chris Kelly (D-Columbia), indicated his preference for the November 2013 ballot if the resolution is approved by the legislature. The committee did not recommend any changes to HJR 14 and plans to vote on the resolution next week. The University of Missouri System has top priority projects for each campus included in the resolution.

In related news, the House Appropriations – Infrastructure and Job Creation committee, chaired by Rep. Kelly, also met this week to discuss a draft resolution circulated by Rep. Lincoln Hough (R-Springfield) that would outline specific uses and capital projects to be funded by the bonding proposal. Rep. Kelly appointed a subcommittee to discuss and finalize a recommendation for the committee to consider at a hearing posted for April 4.

For additional details about UM’s capital priorities, click here.

Senate committee hears bill creating funding formula for higher education

After several months of hearings and discussion, legislation to create a funding formula for higher education institutions was presented to the Senate Education Committee on March 27. Sponsored by Sen. David Pearce (R-Warrensburg), Senate Bill 437 creates a new funding model that considers certain criteria in determining higher education institutions’ state appropriations, including credit hours completed, varying costs per credit hour depending on the level and type of course, and cost compared to peer institutions and peer states. The model also incorporates a set of performance measures which would apply to an institution’s core funding level.

Last year, lawmakers passed legislation giving the Joint Committee on Education the task of developing this funding formula. To gather input from groups affected by their proposal, the committee held hearings across the state in the fall and spring. The University of Missouri System provided input on several aspects of the bill but continues to have concerns about certain details of the formula in the version of the bill presented to the committee this week.

No institutions testified in support of the bill. The Council on Public Higher Education (COPHE), representing all of Missouri’s four-year public institutions including the UM System and its campuses, testified for informational purposes. In its testimony, COPHE raised concerns about how weights were developed using data from peer states, how weights for professional level courses in medicine, dentistry, and veterinary medicine were calculated, how Pell Grant-eligible weights were assigned, and the use of the performance funding method for core funding instead of new funding as was intended by the institutions when the original performance model was designed.

The committee took no action on the bill.

Missouri College Advising Corps gives report to House, Senate education committees

Students, counselors, and staff associated with the Missouri College Advising Corps (MCAC) gave a report to the House Higher Education Committee and members of several other education-related committees during an informational hearing on March 26 at the State Capitol. Beth Tankersley-Bankhead, who serves as executive director of the program, introduced MCAC, which places recent college graduates as peer counselors in Missouri high schools with low rates of college attendance. Many high school students choose to attend college at two- or four-year institutions or vocational-technical institutions as a result of MCAC’s influence.

Funded privately and by grants, the program has achieved significant increases in high school students’ rate of college attendance since it was founded at MU four years ago. The peer counselors are stationed full time in high schools across the state, and they develop strong relationships with students and their parents. This aids families who many not have college experience in the process of applying for admission and financial aid.

For more information, please see the MCAC website.

Federal spending authorized through September 30 by Congress and President Obama, Sequester remains in place

President Barack Obama signed a federal spending package, HR 933, into law on March 26. The bill was approved by the US Senate and House of Representatives by votes of 73-26 and 318-109, respectively. It authorized spending levels for the remainder of the federal fiscal year, which ends on September 30. The resolution also included five full-year budget bills for the departments of Defense, Military Construction-Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, Commerce-Justice-Science, and Homeland Security. All government operations not covered by the five full-year budget bills are funded at the same rate as the previous fiscal year, with adjustments to a few specific programs. The bill left the sequester in place, requiring $85 billion in across-the-board spending cuts to occur. The cuts will be split equally between defense and non-defense programs for the remainder of the current fiscal year.

Also included in the bill was a provision overturning a decision by several military branches that would have eliminated tuition assistance programs for veterans for the rest of the current fiscal year. Language was also included to allow the National Science Foundation (NSF) to conduct political science research only if the NSF Director certifies that any such research demonstrates value to national security or economic benefit. The Director is required to publish an explanation for each certification on the NSF’s website, and any funds not used for political science research may be used for “other scientific research and studies that do not duplicate those being funded by other agencies.”

The bill increased funding to the NSF by $221 million for the rest of the current fiscal year, raising the agency’s budget to just under $7.3 billion. However, after cuts due to sequestration, NSF’s agency budget will be about $6.9 billion. Funding for the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) was also increased, and the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has indicated that its post-sequester budget will contain a $10 million increase as compared to its appropriation in the previous fiscal year. Lastly, appropriations to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) increased by $71 million from levels in the previous fiscal year, but sequestration will force $1.6 billion in cuts from the NIH budget for the current fiscal year.

Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler tours MU Research Reactor

Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler (R-MO) visited the MU Research Reactor (MURR) on March 26. The tour included the nuclear reactor, research labs, and training facilities. MURR Director Ralph Butler and Dr. David Robertson, Professor of Chemistry and Associate Director of Research and Education of MURR, led the tour for the Congresswoman and a few members of her staff.

MURR Director Ralph Butler (left), Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler (R-MO) (center), and Dr. David Robertson, Professor of Chemistry and Associate Director of Research & Education at MURR (right).

On March 13, the House Budget committee, chaired by Rep. Rick Stream (R-Kirkwood), met to review the 13 committee versions of the FY 14 budget bills.  A few changes were made to House Bill 3, the higher education appropriations bill. In a large amendment offered by the Chair, $1 million was removed from the Bright Flight scholarship program and added to the Access Missouri scholarship program. The committee also elected to remove a small amount from each institution’s operating budget in order to create a fund for veterans attending college who may lose their tuition assistance due to the federal government sequester that took effect on March 1. The fund totals $2.5 million, $750,000 of which is from the institutional budgets. The University of Missouri’s contribution totals $350,906.

Rep. Stephen Webber (D-Columbia) and Rep. Caleb Rowden (R-Columbia) teamed up on another amendment to add $700,000 for Small Business Technology Development Centers, or SBTDCs. The centers are affiliated with MU Extension and are located throughout the state.

Rep. Mike Thomson (R-Maryville) and Rep. Caleb Guernsey (R-Bethany) both offered separate amendments to add funds for Area Health Education Centers, or AHECs, which are affiliated with the MU School of Medicine. Rep. Thomson added $200,000 and Rep. Guernsey added another $300,000. Rep. Guernsey also added $1 million for the large animal veterinary program, located at MU.

The committee completed its work and passed all of the bills. The legislature began its spring break on March 14, so the budget bills are expected to be discussed by the full House the week of March 25.

Bonding resolution passes out of committee

On March 12, the House Appropriations – Infrastructure and Job Creation committee, chaired by Rep. Chris Kelly (D-Columbia), met to discuss and finalize its version of House Joint Resolution 14. Sponsored by Speaker Tim Jones (R-Eureka), HJR 14 would allow voters to authorize bonding for capital projects across the state, including projects at higher education institutions.

The committee elected to increase the amount of the proposal to $1.2 billion, and they also agreed to add a revolving loan program for the purpose of funding K-12 capital projects. An amount was not specified, but creating a fund would allow school districts to apply to an administrator for a loan from the fund. In exchange, school districts would have to either reimburse the funds and administrative costs over a set period of time or repay them through an offset to the district’s foundation formula payment.

An amendment was also added to clarify that funded projects must comply with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The amendment also clarified that at least $500 million of the proposal amount must go to non-education-related projects.

Finally, the committee added a requirement for a 10 percent match for higher education projects. It would exempt the match requirement for projects in the state Capitol, at the Fulton State Hospital, and at state parks.

The committee then voted the resolution do pass. Its next stop will be the House Rules committee.

At the committee’s last meeting, Rep. Lincoln Hough (R-Springfield) distributed a draft resolution that outlined the projects that would be funded, including those in higher education. All four of UM’s Tier 1 capital projects were included in the list. The committee elected to continue reviewing this resolution and meet after their legislative spring break to finalize the list.

House leaders delegate funds to support veteran tuition assistance

Veteran students applying for tuition assistance through the National Guard have received notice that some funds may no longer be available due to the impact of sequestration on the federal budget. Students eligible for federal tuition assistance had expected to receive up to $4,500 per semester in financial support, and loss of this funding creates an obstacle that is difficult for many students to overcome. To help alleviate that concern, Rep. Charlie Davis (R-Webb City) introduced House Bill 857 this week to establish the Show Me Heroes Education Fund. Monies from this fund can be used for tuition assistance for Missouri National Guard students meeting certain requirements. The House Budget committee carved out funds from various budget lines to support this process during its markup of the budget bills this week.

MU engineering students visit with lawmakers during Engineering Week

More than 30 MU students from the College of Engineering went to Jefferson City on March 11 to visit with lawmakers in conjunction with Engineering Week activities. The students visited with several legislative offices and were introduced before the Senate and House as the day’s legislative activities began.

The students encouraged support for the operating budget as well as a bonding plan that, if approved by voters, would provide needed funds to complete the renovations and expansion of Lafferre Hall, the home of MU’s College of Engineering.

MU student leaders visit Washington for SEC in DC day

Missouri Student Association leaders participated in “SEC in DC” events in Washington, DC on March 11 and 12. To discuss the impact of federal budget issues on students’ educational experiences, the student leaders met with staff members from Missouri’s congressional delegation and other student leaders from the Southeastern Conference.

Legislators had a chance to see firsthand the unique opportunities undergraduate students from the University of Missouri System have to participate in research during the annual Undergraduate Research Day at the Capitol on March 7.

A total of 40 UM students along with parents, faculty, and advisors went to Jefferson City to be introduced in the House and Senate before setting up their poster displays in the third floor rotunda. The students showcased their research from a variety of disciplines, including biochemistry, business and information science, anthropology, and the plant sciences. In addition to visits from their legislators, students also described their work to UM System President Tim Wolfe, who spent the morning learning about their research.

“I am continually impressed by the ingenuity, determination and skill shown by our students, and I’m proud that our students—even at the undergraduate level—have the opportunity to do research with world-class scholars,” Wolfe said. “Not only does this expose students to the wonders and possibilities of research, and the importance of discovering ‘new knowledge’, it also helps develop them as future scientists and budding entrepreneurs whose work one day could result in new businesses and more jobs, as well as improve the quality of life for our fellow citizens.”

To see more photos from Undergraduate Research Day, click here.

House committee reviews FY14 budget

The House Budget committee, chaired by Rep. Rick Stream (R-Kirkwood), met on March 7 to begin reviewing the committee substitutes for the thirteen FY 2014 budget bills.  During its review of House Bill 3, which authorizes funding for higher education, the committee reviewed a few changes in the substitute.  The bill includes an additional $20 million above current-year appropriations in potential funding for improved outcomes among the 2- and 4-year institutions. Under the plan, if all measures are met, the University of Missouri could receive $9.3 million in funding above the amount received for the current fiscal year. The bill includes $500,000 for the State Historical Society and an additional $250,000 for the Missouri Kidney Program. The bill also includes an additional $3.4 million for the Bright Flight scholarship program. The committee is scheduled to continue its review on March 11 and then consider amendments on all bills on March 13.

Committee discusses bonding

The Appropriations – Infrastructure and Job Creation committee, chaired by Rep. Chris Kelly (D-Columbia), met on March 5 to continue discussing House Joint Resolution 14, the proposal to allow bonding for higher education capital projects and other state projects.  The committee discussed increasing the total amount of bonds voters could authorize from the currently proposed $950 million to $1.2 billion or more.  Rep. Lincoln Hough (R-Springfield) distributed a draft resolution containing a list of proposed projects, including the top projects of each 2- and 4-year public higher education institution.  Included in the list for the UM System are Benton and Stadler Hall at UMSL, the Chemistry and Biological Sciences building at Missouri S&T, Lafferre Hall at MU, and the School of Medicine and Health Sciences building at UMKC.

The committee also discussed the possibility of adding a cost-sharing provision for some projects and adding energy efficiency requirements.  Chairman Kelly has scheduled the next meeting for March 12, at which time the committee is expected to finalize its version of the proposal and vote on it.

Dr. Fred Hawthorne recognized before Missouri House, Senate

Dr. Fred Hawthorne, Director of MU’s International Institute of Nano and Molecular Medicine, visited the Missouri House of Representatives and Senate on March 7, and he was given a formal introduction on the floors of both chambers. In honor of the National Medal of Science awarded to him by President Obama, Dr. Hawthorne received a Senate resolution from Sen. Kurt Schaefer (R-Columbia) and a House resolution from Reps. Chris Kelly (D-Columbia), Stephen Webber (D-Columbia), Caleb Rowden (R-Columbia), and John Wright (D-Rocheport).

Agriculture alumni meet with legislative leaders

Several alumni from MU’s College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR) came to the Capitol on March 6 to meet with legislators in support of agriculture issues.

MU Vice Chancellor and Dean of CAFNR Tom Payne joined the group to review topics before a gathering of 30 senators and representatives including Senate Agriculture, Food Production and Natural Resources committee chair Brian Munzlinger (R-Williamstown) and House Agriculture Policy chair Bill Reiboldt (R-Neosho).   The group discussed such topics as the federal Farm Bill, the impact of sequestration on agriculture in the state, and the need to support higher education institutions for education and research.

After the meeting, alumni met individually with their legislators to promote the University’s operating budget request, a higher education bonding plan, and the MU Extension districting legislation being considered this session.

Senator Maria Chappelle-Nadal hosts gun forum on UMSL campus

On February 18, Sen. Maria Chappelle-Nadal (D-University City) hosted a forum titled “Gangs, Guns & Schools” on the campus of the University of Missouri-St. Louis. Participants discussed legislation relating to the possession of firearms and decreasing gun violence.

Missouri S&T student featured at Higher Education STEM Day

Matthew Limmer, a doctoral student in environmental engineering at Missouri University of Science and Technology, participated in Higher Education STEM Day on March 5 at the Capitol. The event, sponsored by the Missouri Mathematics and Science Coalition, celebrates and acknowledges the contributions that higher education institutions around the state make to disciplines, research, and careers in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics.

Matt Limmer (left) with Rep. Keith Frederick (R-Rolla) (right).

UM student leaders join ASUM to visit legislators

The Associated Students of the University of Missouri (ASUM) organized a visit to the Capitol by student leaders from all four UM campuses on March 5.  The students had an opportunity to meet with legislators on budget and legislative priorities, including higher education bonding and financial aid issues. While there, the group was introduced in the House and Senate.

US House passes 6-month spending bill

The United States House of Representatives passed a 6-month federal government spending bill, HR 933, on March 6 by a vote of 267-151. The bill freezes appropriations at existing levels for most accounts, includes the spending cuts required by sequestration, and includes a full defense appropriations bill. The Senate is still developing its continuing resolution to fund the government. Lawmakers have until March 27 to agree on legislation, which will likely provide funding through the 2013 federal fiscal year, which ends on September 30, 2013.

MU graduate student leaders visit Capitol Hill

MU Graduate Professional Council (GPC) leaders met with the Missouri Congressional delegation and their staff on March 4 and 5 in Washington, DC. The visits were a part of the National Association of Graduate-Professional Students Advocacy Summit & Legislative Action Days. MU GPC President Kristofferson Culmer, MU GPC National Issues Coordinator Jesse Kremenak, and Shankar Parajuli, a medical student at Washington University in St. Louis, participated in the Summit and Advocacy Days.

Bonding plan makes progress

Resolutions to place a bonding package on the statewide ballot to support higher education capital improvements are making progress in both the Missouri Senate and House of Representatives.

This week, the Senate Appropriations committee held a hearing on Senate Joint Resolution 3, which is the Senate version of the bonding proposal. The resolution is sponsored by Sen. Kurt Schaefer (R-Columbia) and is currently identical to the House’s version of the measure, House Joint Resolution 14. The committee voted unanimously to support the plan on February 27.

Among those testifying in support of SJR 3 were the Council on Public Higher Education, the University of Missouri System, MU Alumni Association Legislative Network, Mizzou Flagship Council, Associated Students of the University of Missouri, and the Missouri Students Association.  

In the House, the Appropriations – Infrastructure and Job Creation committee held a work session on February 26 to discuss HJR 14, sponsored by Speaker of the House Tim Jones (R-Eureka). The committee reviewed the capital needs of Fulton State Hospital, state parks, higher education institutions, and the state Capitol building.  

Last week, Speaker Jones and UM System President Tim Wolfe were interviewed on the Tiger Network as the Mizzou men’s basketball team broke for halftime during their game against the University of Florida. The two discussed Jones’s proposed bonding plan, HJR 14, which would help fund higher education capital projects across the state. The University of Missouri System has a $1.3 billion backlog of capital needs and the President stressed the importance of partnering with the state to fund some of UM’s priority projects. Speaker Jones also posted a video on his blog affirming his support for the proposed bonding plan.

President Wolfe testifies as budget bills move forward

The Senate Appropriations committee, chaired by Sen. Kurt Schaefer (R-Columbia), heard testimony from higher education institutions on February 19. In his comments, University of Missouri System President Tim Wolfe discussed the positive impact higher education has on the state, from promoting economic development to producing graduates in high demand fields such as science and engineering. The committee then reviewed the proposed FY14 budget for the Department of Higher Education. To see President Wolfe’s comments to the Appropriations committee, click here.

Senate bill introduced to create higher education funding formula

On the last day to file new bills in the Senate, Sen. David Pearce (R-Warrensburg) introduced Senate Bill 437, which creates a new funding formula model for higher education institutions. The legislation is based on formula proposals that have been developed by the Joint Committee on Education over the past several months. Last year, lawmakers passed legislation requiring the committee to develop a funding formula model to instruct how the legislature should allocate future revenues.

The bill will now begin to move through the legislative process with the goal of passing a revised formula in time for the next legislative session and consideration of FY15 appropriations.

Extension districting proposals receive votes in Senate, House

Two companion bills to allow MU Extension to form single- or multi-county districts continue to move through the legislative process. Senate Bill 9, sponsored by Sen. David Pearce (R-Warrensburg), was third read and passed by the Senate on February 18 by a 23-7 vote. The bill has now been reported to the House and will await committee consideration.

In the House, House Bill 202, sponsored by Rep. Bill Reiboldt (R-Neosho), was passed by the House by a 133-18 vote on February 26. The bill has now been reported to the Senate and will await committee consideration.

The bills would enable Extension councils in counties across the state to have the option of forming funding districts to better coordinate program delivery at the local level. They would also give the districts the option of placing local property tax questions on the ballot to support local programming. The Senate bill includes an amendment to exclude St. Louis County from the option while the House bill includes all counties of the state.

Missouri S&T hosts regional robot competition

The Rolla High School “Patriots” were one of 36 teams of Missouri and Illinois high schoolers to design and build robots for the Statewide FIRST Tech Challenge, held February 23 on the Missouri S&T campus. The Patriots won the competition and a chance to compete in the international competition to be held in April in St. Louis. This marks the third year Missouri S&T has hosted the regional competition.

4-H leadership group attends conference in Jefferson City, meets with lawmakers

More than a dozen high school and college students involved in the 4-H Youth Leadership Academy went to Jefferson City last week to meet and shadow legislators and attend hearings and floor sessions. On Monday evening, the students had dinner with lawmakers and exchanged ideas related to legislation and education. The 4-H program is one of many youth development programs operated as part of MU Extension.

Sequestration takes effect, cuts to federal programs expected

Mandatory across-the-board cuts to federal programs took effect on March 1. The cuts, otherwise known as sequestration, were put in place by the Budget Control Act of 2011. They amount to approximately a 4.6 percent cut to non-defense discretionary programs and a 9.2 percent cut to defense programs for FY13, which extends through September 30.

The Office of Management and Budget is expected to send a notice to agencies ordering these mandatory budget reductions. Some federal agencies, such as the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have already announced how they plan to apply the cuts made to their budgets. The NIH announcement can be found here, and the NSF announcement can be found here.

President Wolfe visits Capitol Hill

UM System President Tim Wolfe met with members of the Missouri congressional delegation on February 27 and 28 in Washington, DC. The effects of sequestration on UM, the federal budget, health care, and agriculture were among the issues President Wolfe discussed with Sens. Claire McCaskill (D-MO) and Roy Blunt (R-MO) and Reps. Lacy Clay (D-MO), Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO), Sam Graves (R-MO), Vicky Hartzler (R-MO), Billy Long (R-MO), Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-MO), and Ann Wagner (R-MO).

Senator Blunt honors Dr. Fred Hawthorne, discusses MU defense research

On February 19, Sen. Roy Blunt (R-MO) and UM System President Tim Wolfe honored Dr. Fred Hawthorne for receiving the National Medal of Science from President Barack Obama. Senator Blunt also recognized Dr. Hawthorne in the Congressional Record. Click here to read Sen. Blunt’s comments. Dr. Hawthorne, Director of the International Institute of Nano and Molecular Medicine, is the first University of Missouri faculty member to be given this honor, and he was one of only 22 scientists across the nation to be given the award.

Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler hosts Agriculture Council on MU campus, tours agriculture labs

Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler (R-MO) hosted an Agriculture Council meeting with constituents from the 4^th Congressional District at the Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center on February 19. While on the MU campus, Congresswoman Hartzler and her Council heard presentations on MU agriculture research and toured two laboratories.