Blunt to try again for college buildings at MU, UMKC

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Gov. Matt Blunt plans to make another attempt to finance two new medical buildings at universities in Columbia and Kansas City with money taken from the state's student loan authority.

The two University of Missouri projects were cut by Republican senators in retaliation against two Democratic senators from those cities who had been among the most vocal opponents of Blunt's plan.

Blunt, however, said he would seek funding for the projects in the annual supplemental budget to be considered next year. The Republican governor made his pledge in letters dated Thursday -- and released Monday -- to the Republican House members who represent those areas.

Blunt's plan would take $350 million over six years from the Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority, most of which would go toward the renovation or construction of dozens of buildings at public colleges and universities.

The Senate passed legislation last week authorizing the deal, after previously using a rare procedural motion to shut off a prolonged debate by Democrats. The legislation still needs House approval.

The actual expenditure of money for the building projects is contained in a separate budget bill, which also needs a final House vote to go to Blunt.