FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Contact: Jessica Robinson, 573-751-0290


Blunt Seeks Bipartisan Majority on Higher Education Package

JEFFERSON CITY–Gov. Matt Blunt today stressed the importance of a bipartisan majority for the state’s comprehensive higher education legislation.

“While a majority of Republicans support the current plan, I hope some Democrats will recognize the benefits of the initiative and will put partisanship aside in support of higher education and Missouri students,” Blunt said.

The broad legislation seeks to increase funding for Higher Education, expand scholarship opportunities, provide predictability in tuition costs, introduce accountability measures and enact the Lewis and Clark Discovery Initiative, which would provide $335 million for new state-of-the-art learning centers for Missouri students.

The governor made it clear that without bipartisan support it is likely the original project list for colleges and universities included in the Lewis and Clark Discovery Initiative will change. This action could mean that some education facilities might not achieve the initiative’s full benefits.


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