CAPE VO-TECH FUNDING FINALLY ON HORIZON

After more than a year of delays, the state will finally pay its promised $1.83 million share of costs for the Cape Girardeau Career and Technology Center.

Mark Reading, the assistant state budget director, said Thursday that the funding will be released to the Cape Girardeau School District through the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education as soon as the district completes the necessary paperwork.

Dr. Dan Steska, Cape Girardeau schools superintendent, said the district would start the process immediately and expected to receive the money within a few weeks.

The $11.3 million career center was completed in the spring and will open this fall. For the last year, the district has been forced to dip into budget reserves and tighten its belt to make up for the dearth of state money.

The district asked the state for $1.83 million during the 2000 legislative session, but the General Assembly authorized only $1 million. However, the state held on to the money and funding for other construction projects for reasons ranging from pending litigation to an uncertain state financial picture.

Gov. Bob Holden released the $1 million on Thursday. Lawmakers included the remaining $832,267 in DESE's operating budget for the budget year that began July 1, completing the state's commitment to the project.

Area projects funded

Holden ordered the release of nearly $13 million for 11 other projects around the state, including $750,000 for a vocational school in Poplar Bluff, Mo. Another $140 million in authorized capital expenditures remains on hold.

Holden has until July 1, 2003, to release the remaining spending.

Area projects account for $16.2 million of the withheld money. Southeast Missouri State University's River Campus claims the bulk of remaining local funds with a $11.95 million appropriation. However, that project remains in limbo because of litigation that has placed in question the city of Cape Girardeau's participation in the effort.

State Rep. Jason Crowell, R-Cape Girardeau, was hopeful the governor would release the remainder of the money.

"If the governor can announce his support for and the state can afford ... funding of a Cardinal baseball stadium and sign into law general revenue bond funding for a $75 million Mizzou basketball arena, I believe that clearly these worthy projects deserve the governor's blessing," he said.

Also still withheld is $150,000 for the university's Kennett Learning Center and $4.2 million for improvements at four area port authorities. The New Bourbon Port Authority is awaiting $1.48 million; the SEMO Port Authority, $1.46 million; the Pemiscot Port Authority, $975,000; and the New Madrid Port Authority, $275,000.