04/29/2009

By CHRIS BLANK  / Associated Press

The Senate Appropriations Committee expanded a proposed college construction bond package on Wednesday to include money for other state building projects.

A version approved previously by the House called for issuing $700 million in bonds to cover the top construction needs at every public university and community college.

But the Senate Appropriations Committee expanded the total package to $800 million, with $550 million reserved for college construction and the remaining $250 million available for any state building needs.

Sponsoring Rep. Chris Kelly said the timing for issuing the bonds is perfect because interest rates are at their lowest level in decades and there is a need to spur construction-sector jobs.

"Our economy is in very tough shape, and we as a state have some responsibility to do what we can do," said Kelly, D-Columbia.

The committee sent the bond package to the full Senate. If approved by lawmakers, the measure would appear on the November 2010 ballot unless Gov. Jay Nixon sets an earlier special election.

Some critics have questioned the wisdom of the state taking on more debt. Another voiced frustration about the last time lawmakers tried to launch a campus building effort.

In 2007, the Legislature approved former Gov. Matt Blunt's plan to use $350 million from the Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority to support campus building projects. Earlier this year, Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon put some of those projects on hold because MOHELA has been unable to make all of its scheduled payments toward the plan.

Sen. Chuck Purgason, whose district stretches across the central part of the state from the Lake of the Ozarks south to the Arkansas border, said that he supported the last college construction plan because it included projects in his district. He voted against this year's bond package.

"I haven't gotten fulfilled on the promises the last time we were doing it," said Purgason, R-Caulfield.

Kelly and sponsoring Sen. Kurt Schaefer, R-Columbia, released a list of possible college building projects. But the actual projects to be funded wouldn't be decided until after voters approve the constitutional amendment.

The possible projects include a $91.2 million Ozarks Health and Life Science Center at Missouri State University, a $10.8 million renovation of the Vashon Community Center at Harris Stowe State University and a new math and science facility at the University of Central Missouri.

There's also a $25 million proposal to build a new science and math building at Missouri Southern State University in Joplin, which Kelly said was at the request of House Speaker Ron Richard. Both Richard and Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Gary Nodler represent Joplin.

Nodler said he wasn't involved in supporting the school's project.

"It was a flash of insight on the part of the speaker, but it's not my initiative," Nodler said.

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College bonds is HJR32

On the Net:

Legislature: http://www.moga.mo.gov