Committee: SEMO incubator, Parkview State School on stimulus wish list

A list of state construction projects that could be built with money from federal stimulus funds includes $4.5 million for a business incubator at Southeast Missouri State University and $750,000 for a new roof and other repairs at Parkview State School.

The $984 million proposal is a wish list of sorts because members of the Joint Committee on Capital Improvements and Lease Oversight aren't sure any money will be available, said Rep. Ryan Silvey, R-Kansas City, who chairs the committee. Missouri expects to receive up to $1.3 billion in "budget stabilization" funding to prevent cuts in state programs. The list, Silvey said, is a way to spend that money if it is not needed for regular operating expenses of state government.

Big expenses in the list include $350 million to replace Fulton State Hospital, $31.1 million to replace Ellis Fischel Cancer Center in Columbia, Mo., and $70 million for an upgrade to the state's information technology system. The main criteria used, Slivey said, were to meet critical needs for compliance with state or federal law or to restore money vetoed or withheld from projects approved in the past by lawmakers.

The list is split into four sections, each about $250 million, in order to set priorities based on how much of the federal funds are available. Like every big package of construction projects, Silvey said, the committee drafting the plan faced political pressure to make as many lawmakers as possible happy with the results for their district.

"My entire summer has been dominated by that very thing," Silvey said.

The money for the university, Parkview and $1.3 million for renovations at the Jackson Armory are all included in the first section, which Silvey said are the top committee priorities.

Even after attempting to balance competing demands, the report was signed by only seven of the committee's 10 members and drew immediate criticism from Sen. Jason Crowell, R-Cape Girardeau. The list has too little for Southeast Missouri, he said, and ignores the university's No. 1 project, $37 million to update and construct new applied science labs.

"I am very disappointed in that," Crowell said. "In no way, shape or form could I support that. There are five House members and five Senate members on the committee and everything is isolated in Kansas City or southwest Missouri. It is a complete joke."

The committee's list should not be confused with the projects that could be funded with a state bond issue, Silvey said. Many major construction items on the list could show up on a bond issue list, he said, but crafting a project list for bonding would be a new process.

In the spring, under the sponsorship of House Majority Leader Steve Tilley, R-Perryville, and Rep. Chris Kelly, D-Columbia, the Missouri House approved a $700 million state bond issue. The measure failed in the state Senate, but has since been embraced by Gov. Jay Nixon, a Democrat, which sparked political differences with the Republican-led legislature.

"In the event of a bond issue, I am sure the committee will have to create a new list depending on how much money is available," Silvey said.

Both Crowell and Tilley said a bond issue, if it is sent before voters, would have to include much more for Southeast Missouri, especially the university, if it is to be successful. Tilley, who said he continues to support a bond issue, said he would "specifically make sure Southeast Missouri State University gets their fair share."

Crowell, who has not committed to supporting a bond issue but who also has not declared he opposes issuing new state debt, said funding Southeast Missouri priorities will play a big role in his decision.

"If there is a bond issue and these are the projects to fund, there is no way a bond issue is going to pass," Crowell said.

rkeller@semissourian.com

388-3642

Pertinent addresses:

Missouri State Capitol, Jefferson City, Mo.

Southeast Missouri State University, Cape Girardeau, Mo.

1020 S Parkway St., Cape Girardeau, Mo. 224 W. Park St., Jackson, Mo.