Officials: Economic development study in limbo

The Missouri Department of Economic Development hasn't decided if it will go ahead with a study that could set the stage for further discussions about the possible creation of a community college in Cape Girardeau.

The department has earmarked money for the study, but spokesman Keener Tippin said agency officials have yet to decide whether to conduct the study to assess the job training and post-secondary education needs of Southeast Missouri.

"Right now, everything is up in the air," Tippin said. "We don't know how we are going to proceed."

State Sen. Jason Crowell, R-Cape Girardeau, said House Bill 327, a wide-ranging economic development bill passed by the legislature, would have authorized the study. But Gov. Matt Blunt vetoed the measure Friday, contending that the bill was loaded with "excessive spending."

"With the veto, there is no authorization for the state to pay for the study," Crowell said.

But he said the economic development department could still do the study, paying for it with discretionary money in its budget. Crowell said he would encourage the department to conduct the study.

Missouri higher education officials said earlier this summer they expected the study would be conducted regardless of whether Blunt vetoed the economic development bill.

Blunt said last week he would call a special session later this year if legislative leaders could agree on a slimmed-down economic bill.

If a special session is held, Crowell said he and state Sen. Rob Mayer, R-Dexter, would work to include in the bill authorization and funding for a study.

Legislation crafted by Mayer in the 2007 regular session would have led to a study to identify the educational and job training needs of Southeast Missouri and how best to meet those needs.

Mayer's bill could have set the stage for development of a post-secondary vocational school district or even a new community college, proponents said.

Provisions of his bill were rolled into House Bill 327, which included various statewide tax credits to retain and attract jobs.

In his veto, the governor said the measure would have cost the state about $200 million while doling out money to questionable causes.

But Crowell, who questions the governor's cost estimates, said the state needs economic development incentives.

Blunt didn't voice any objection to the proposed post-secondary education needs study for Southeast Missouri, Crowell said. "It was not a focus of the veto," he said.

mbliss@semissourian.com

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