Lawmakers react to higher ed state budget cuts: ‘It’s terrifying’

Lawmakers are expressing their concerns over Gov. Eric Greitens’ proposed budget, which slashes funding for higher education by at least $68 million.

During an education subcommittee on appropriations hearing Wednesday, Rep. Kip Kendrick (D – Columbia) called the cuts “terrifying.”

“I think there are a lot of people upset in this building right now about the cuts to higher education,” Kendrick said. “Are we going to be able to compete in a 21st century if we’re not adequately funding higher education at all levels?”

Kendrick said the state is in a tough position and noted that Missouri is not unique in terms of cuts to funding for higher ed.

“As long you see states having to make cuts to their budget, they typically go to higher education because it’s a cost that can be passed on to consumers,” he said. “There’s not a lot of fat to cut anywhere else, so in a year like this, higher education takes the brunt of it.”

Higher education commissioner Zora Mulligan gave a presentation to the committee at the hearing. She spoke about the Missouri Department of Higher Education’s performance funding model and said she was happy to see that in the budget.

Greitens’ proposed budget withholds an additional ten percent for performance funding, which institutions can earn back.

Mulligan shared some of the performance parameters the MDHE will be looking at. Those include questions such as:
-Do the students graduate or transfer?
-Is money being spent judiciously?
-Do graduates get jobs or continue education?
-Is the institution affordable?
-Have your students mastered what they studied?

Kendrick said he didn’t have an issue with the performance funding model, but said he does have concerns because it’s in addition to two years of significant cuts.

The House and the Senate will now be putting together budgets, and Kendrick said the goal is to find more money for higher education.

“At this point it’s just digging through the budget books and trying to find out where a potential cut can be made to then plug some of that money back in,” he said. “Hopefully we can produce the least worst situation for higher education.”