MOHELA plan loses key support
Issue date: 2/23/07 Section: State News
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"The whole initiative rests on a precarious foundation if it depends upon no changes being made to federal law for the next 11 years," Harris wrote in his letter to Blunt. "That is a risk we should not take."
But Blunt spokesman Rich Chrismer said there was no need to back away from the governor's plan because of the federal proposals.
"If we responded to every possibility or suggested change in Washington, D.C., we'd be paralyzed in Jefferson City on everything from education to health care to transportation," Chrismer said Monday night.
Harris suggested that if the building projects are to be funded, the money should instead come from general state revenues _ either as part of next year's budget or spread over multiple years.
Senate Democrats have proposed another alternative _ a requirement that MOHELA transfer 1.5 percent of its assets to the state annually, which currently would amount to about $87 million. A portion of that money would replace existing state revenues going to scholarships, freeing up state money to repay bonds they propose to issue for the buildings.
Some Republican lawmakers also are opposing Blunt's plan because of concerns the buildings could be used for embryonic stem cell research.
Although fellow Republicans control the Legislature, Blunt has said it's unlikely the plan can pass unless some Senate Democrats vote for it.
But Blunt spokesman Rich Chrismer said there was no need to back away from the governor's plan because of the federal proposals.
"If we responded to every possibility or suggested change in Washington, D.C., we'd be paralyzed in Jefferson City on everything from education to health care to transportation," Chrismer said Monday night.
Harris suggested that if the building projects are to be funded, the money should instead come from general state revenues _ either as part of next year's budget or spread over multiple years.
Senate Democrats have proposed another alternative _ a requirement that MOHELA transfer 1.5 percent of its assets to the state annually, which currently would amount to about $87 million. A portion of that money would replace existing state revenues going to scholarships, freeing up state money to repay bonds they propose to issue for the buildings.
Some Republican lawmakers also are opposing Blunt's plan because of concerns the buildings could be used for embryonic stem cell research.
Although fellow Republicans control the Legislature, Blunt has said it's unlikely the plan can pass unless some Senate Democrats vote for it.
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