Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development

Legislative Update - January 9, 2020

Missouri Department of Higher Education & Workforce Development sent this bulletin at 01/10/2020 10:51 AM CST

January 10, 2020

The 2nd Session of the 100th General Assembly Begins

The 100th General Assembly commenced with the 2nd Regular Session on Wednesday, Jan. 8.

Both chambers spent most of the afternoon progressing through procedural actions, including first and second reading of pre-filed and introduced legislation. In the House, six new members were sworn in.

House Subcommittee on Appropriations—Education gets quickly to work

The House Subcommittee on Appropriations – Education, chaired by Rep. Rusty Black (R- Chillicothe), convened on Thursday, Jan. 9, to hear testimony from presidents and administrators from public institutions of higher education. Representatives from the following nine Missouri institutions spoke during the hearing:

• Northwest Missouri State University
• Missouri Southern State University
• Truman State University
• Southeast Missouri State University
• Missouri State University
• Harris-Stowe State University
• University of Central Missouri
• State Technical College of Missouri
• Lincoln University

The subcommittee invited institution administrators to present their 2020 priorities and recent successes, while also sharing examples of how each institution has collaborated with their counterparts in order to find efficiencies, recognize cost savings, and serve Missouri students.

The eight public universities in attendance are members of the Council on Public Higher Education in Missouri (COPHE), and together they requested an increase in core funding for public institutions to account for inflation and increased costs. In addition, the COPHE members requested funding for deferred maintenance and renovation of campus infrastructure, as well as other areas of financial need. State Technical College of Missouri also shared the need for more investment in Missouri higher education institutions.

Among other topics discussed at the hearing, the committee asked the administrators questions about differences in per-student funding, tuition, improving outcomes for underrepresented groups, and enrollment challenges that universities will face in the 2020s.

In other subcommittee news, Rep. Doug Richey (R-Excelsior Spring) will replace Rep. Aaron Griesheimer (R-Washington).

MDHEWD to appear before the House Subcommittee on Appropriations – Education

On Monday, Jan. 13, Commissioner of Higher Education, Zora Mulligan, will update the subcommittee on the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development’s reorganization and priorities for this legislative session. The subcommittee will continue to hear testimony from public institution representatives.

The schedule is as follows:

2:00-2:10 Missouri Western State University

2:10-2:40 Community Colleges

2:40-3:10 University of Missouri System

3:10-4:00 Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development

Questions? Contact Gerren McHam

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