Blunt frustrated by Democratic blockade of higher ed bill

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Republican Gov. Matt Blunt expressed disappointment Wednesday after Senate Democrats blocked his $350 million college construction plan by filibustering for hours and then rejecting a proposed compromise.

Republican Senate leaders conceded at least a momentary defeat Tuesday night, setting aside the higher education legislation rather than forcing senators to remain in session for a second straight night of Democratic filibustering.

The Senate did not return to the bill Wednesday morning, and it was unclear when it would do so.

Blunt's plan would use $350 million from the Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority to finance dozens of construction projects at public colleges and universities. The wide-ranging bill also would impose caps on university tuition increases, create a new scholarship program and require universities to be judged on performance criteria.

Democrats waged a 15-hour filibuster that broke Tuesday morning so lawmakers, Blunt's staff and MOHELA representatives could try to forge a comprise. After hours of talks, Blunt and Republican leaders thought they had reached a deal. But after meeting in a private caucus, Democrats rejected it.

"We were very disappointed," Blunt said in an interview Wednesday. "Everybody believed that good faith negotiations were under way. It turned out that wasn't the case and the other party, at least, had not been negotiating in good faith and pulled out from an agreement that I think would have been very positive."

The tentative deal would have authorized MOHELA to issue bonds to finance Blunt's building boom. That would have allowed the state to get all of its money upfront, instead of over six years, while extending the time the student loan agency would have to pay off the obligation.

But Senate Minority Leader Maida Coleman, of St. Louis, said Democrats still object to the central element in Blunt's plan -- the attempt to use MOHELA's money for building projects. They want the student loan agency to put any surplus money toward better deals for student borrowers.

"All compromise is not bad," Coleman said after the Democrats' private caucus. "However, making sure that we can have an educated work force in Missouri is my priority."

Senate Majority Leader Charlie Shields, R-St. Joseph, expressed dismay at what he called "a purely partisan filibuster" but pledged Wednesday to bring the legislation back before the Senate at some unspecified time.

Blunt also remained hopeful of reaching a vote, though he was clearly frustrated.

"We're ready to negotiate with anybody that really wants to negotiate," Blunt said. But "you can't negotiate with people who just don't want to see anything happen."

Senate President Pro Tem Michael Gibbons, R-Kirkwood, accused Democratic Attorney General Jay Nixon, who opposes Blunt's plan to take money from MOHELA, of orchestrating the Democratic Senate blockade. Nixon is running for governor in 2008, setting up a likely showdown with Blunt.

"It seems to me the minority caucus has ceased to function as members of the Senate and is simply a campaign team for the attorney general who seeks to become governor of the state of Missouri," Gibbons said. "This is simply putting politics ahead of the people."

Some Democratic senators acknowledged conversations with Nixon over the past days, weeks and months but insisted they remain staunchly opposed to Blunt's plan because it's bad policy.

"This was a plan constantly in flux, constantly seeking votes, constantly trying to help a desperate governor get something done," said Sen. Joan Bray, D-St. Louis. "To blame the politics on Jay is just absurd."

Nixon noted Tuesday night that he had raised legal and policy concerns in a letter to lawmakers six months ago. Those concerns remain, he said.

"The assets of MOHELA created by students must be used for students to help college affordability, not other uses," Nixon said in a prepared statement. "Today is a victory for future generations of Missouri students and their families."

Blunt spokesman Rich Chrismer said the divisions in the MOHELA debate are clear.

It's the "Democrats versus the students," Chrismer said. "Jay Nixon is supporting Democrats and Governor Blunt is supporting the students."

Other sticking points also remain, including the building projects to be funded with the money.

Opponents of embryonic stem cell research don't want any of the money going to buildings that could house medical research. Blunt's administration removed those building projects, pleasing some senators but still not satisfying Missouri Right to Life, the state's largest anti-abortion group.

By contrast, others are upset about dropping the life sciences research projects, which formed the cornerstone of Blunt's plan when it was unveiled.

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Higher ed bill is SB389.

On the Net:

Legislature: http://www.moga.mo.gov