House approves $46 million for 2 university buildings

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- The Missouri House passed a $46 million spending plan for new medical buildings at two University of Missouri campuses.

Not a single lawmaker dissented as the House voted Thursday to appropriate $31 million for a cancer hospital at the Columbia campus and $15 million for a pharmacy and nursing complex at the Kansas City campus.

Money for both buildings would come from a pool of $350 million being taken over several years from the Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority.

The Senate still must approve the bill.

By restoring the two buildings that were removed last year, lawmakers could direct some money to the projects before the current fiscal year ends June 30.

"The House's quick action on these much-needed items is a testament to how well vetted the projects were last year," the University of Missouri's interim president, Gordon Lamb, said in a written statement.