Mo. universities could get $3M funding boost after compromise

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- House and Senate negotiators have agreed to provide an additional $3 million to several Missouri universities to resolve a dispute that had held up the state's budget.

A budget conference committee approved the money Wednesday as a replacement for a proposal that would have allotted an extra $2 million to Southeast Missouri State University.

The extra funding for the Cape Girardeau university had been backed by House Speaker Steven Tilley, who noted that his alma mater got less money on a per-pupil basis than most other public universities. Sen. Jason Crowell, of Cape Girardeau, opposed the funding boost and had blocked Senate debate on legislation until the budget dispute could be solved.

The compromise provides Southeast an additional $886,000. It also provides additional money to six other universities.