Thursday, April 19, 2007
Contact: Jessica Robinson, 573-751-0290
Blunt Praises Senate for Passing Higher Education Plan for Missouri Students
JEFFERSON CITY– Gov. Matt Blunt today applauded the Missouri Senate for giving first round approval of a Higher Education plan that increases funding for student scholarships, introduces accountability measures, provides tuition stabilization and includes the Lewis and Clark Discovery Initiative, which would provide $335 million for new state-of-the-art learning centers for Missouri students.
"Education is my highest priority as Missouri's governor and this historic higher education package will help secure a brighter future for our students, colleges and universities, and the state," Blunt said. "I am committed to doing everything I can to enhance educational opportunities from providing new learning centers to increasing the number of scholarships available to students. I appreciate the diligent work of Senate President Pro Tem Michael Gibbons, Sen. Charlie Shields and bill sponsor Sen. Gary Nodler on this bold legislation that will make critical investments in higher education through out our state."
Senate Bill 389 includes comprehensive measures that will increase funding for Higher Education, expand scholarship opportunities, provide predictability in tuition costs, introduce accountability measures and enact the Lewis and Clark Discovery Initiative.
The bill creates the Access Missouri Scholarship that will more than double funding for needs based scholarships making them more available to thousands of Missouri families.
The package also includes $15 million for the Missouri Technology Corporation, the state's lead agency for helping create jobs in high technology industries.
Along with Sen. Michael Gibbons, Sen. Charlie Shields and Sen. Gary Nodler, the governor praised the following senators for their leadership in supporting the comprehensive higher education bill and for their strong support for Missouri students: Sen. Norma Champion, Sen. Dan Clemens, Sen. Jason Crowell, Sen. Kevin Engler, Sen. Jack Goodman, Sen. John Griesheimer, Sen. Chuck Gross, Sen. Chris Koster, Sen. Brad Lager, Sen. John Loudon, Sen. Rob Mayer, Sen. Chuck Purgason, Sen. Luann Ridgeway, Sen. Scott Rupp, Sen. Delbert Scott, Sen. Bill Stouffer and Sen. Carl Vogel.