°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø¿ª½±

This week…

President Mun Choi met with leadership in both Chambers to give an overview of our institutions and our budgetary priorities for this session.

The House and Senate have adjourned until 4:00 p.m., Monday, January 30, 2023.

Governor’s Budget

Governor Parson’s was recently released, key points from his budget are listed below.

Higher Education and Workforce Development:

• 7% core increase in finding for four-year higher education institutions and community colleges equating to roughly $70.8 million. Specifically, $31,846,976 for the °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø¿ª½±.
• $272.4 million for capital improvement projects for public higher education institutions
• $38.3 million for MoExcels projects, to facilitate the development of employer-driven workforce education and training programs in high-demand occupations at Missouri’s public higher education institutions.
• $25 million to invest in research, program development, and skills training to increase our competitiveness for semiconductor manufacturing opportunities.
  • This is a new program that allows DED to engage Missouri companies and stakeholders in the semiconductor industry to understand the needs in research, the competitive position as a state, program development needs, and workforce pipeline development strategies in the semiconductor industry.

American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Projects:

• °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø¿ª½±:
  • For the creation of the Developing Pillars in Radiopharmaceuticals and Animal Science and Health which will enhance Missouri's unique assets (Nuclear Research Reactor, College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources Center, College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources), drive economic growth, and will be leveraged to attract industry partners to the state.
  • Recommendation: 104,500,000, split into two years’ worth of funding. In FY24, MU would receive $52.5 million should this be passed by the legislature and signed by the Governor.
• Missouri University of Science and Technology
  • For the construction of the Missouri Protoplex to be the principal facility for a statewide initiative to drive economic activity around expanding manufacturing in Missouri.
  • Recommendation: $41.25 million; split into two years’ worth of funding. In FY24, S&T would receive $25 million should this be passed by the legislature and signed by the Governor. 
• °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø¿ª½±-Kansas City
  • For construction of a clinical and teaching facility adjacent to its Schools of Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Nursing, and Health Sciences buildings.
  • Recommendation: $40 million; split into two years’ worth of funding. In FY24, UMKC would receive $20 million should this be passed by the legislature and signed by the Governor.
• °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø¿ª½±- St. Louis
  • For renovation of several campus facilities and demolition of those with high capital needs inventory values to consolidate academic programs, reduce the campus footprint, and focus critical operations of the institutions on the North Campus.
  • Recommendation: $40 million; split into two years’ worth of funding. In FY24, UMSL would receive $20 million should this be passed by the legislature and signed by the Governor.

Financial Aid:

• Access Missouri:
  • The Access Missouri Financial Assistance Program provides need-based scholarships to eligible Missouri residents. Need is determined based on the student’s expected family contribution with different award amounts depending on the type of higher education institution the student attends. Students attending public and private four-year colleges and universities are eligible to receive up to $2,850 in taxpayer-funded scholarships and students attending community colleges are eligible to receive up to $1,300.
  • Recommendation: continue funding at the current level
• Fast Track:
  • The Fast Track Workforce Incentive Grant Program provides need-based grants to adults over the age of 25 with a household adjusted gross income of less than $80,000 who are working toward degree programs that fill a high-needs skills gap. Grants shall be awarded in an amount equal to the actual tuition and fees. The grants are available for up to four semesters or until receipt of a bachelor’s degree or reaching 200% of the time typically required to complete the program of study, whichever occurs first.
  • Recommendation: continue funding at the current level

Missouri House

Subcommittee on Appropriations- Education
On Monday, January 23, 2023, the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Education held an organizational meeting where the Council on Public Higher Education, Missouri Community College Association, and the °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø¿ª½± System testified before the committee. President Mun Choi testified at this hearing, where he discussed some of the budgetary priorities of the °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø¿ª½± System.

Key Dates

February 20, 2023: President’s Day
March 13-17, 2023: Spring Break
April 10, 2023: No Session, Easter Break
May 12, 2023: Last day of session
September 13, 2023: Veto session