SEMO students learn about budget crisis

The economy is in a funk. America is mired in a war. Wall Street is indecisive, at best. Not to mention that 100,000 jobs have left Missouri in the last 18 months, and this remains one of the few states in the country still steeped in recession.

That was the dour message about 60 Southeast Missouri State University students and faculty heard Friday from two state legislators who listed those reasons as factors behind Missouri's estimated $1 billion budget shortfall.

But the legislators -- state Reps. Jason Crowell and Scott Lipke -- also offered this: The legislature is attempting to rectify that.

"It is what it is," Crowell said during the budget roundtable sponsored by Student Government. "We've got to deal with it."

Part of that has been "painful" cuts from the state's myriad departments. Crowell and Lipke both pointed to the proposal to opt out of line-item budgeting in favor of lump-sum budgeting.

That means department heads can decide where cuts come from within their departments instead of lawmakers deciding for them. The state Senate is also looking at tax increases, such as for tobacco, to make up for the shortfall, and closing corporate tax loopholes.

"These are things the legislature is looking at," Lipke said. "No one likes it. But it's what we're having to deal with now. It's been a very difficult process."

Students were also interested in ways the shortfall will affect them. During a question-and-answer period, the audience asked about tuition increases, how it would affect the university's programs and student retention.

When asked how the university would be affected, Crowell said he didn't know. House Republicans have proposed to cut $82 million in higher education.

"Potentially, they could have to look at reduced programs," he said. "I hope tuition increases don't happen, but the possibility is out there."

Expecting higher tuition

Students afterward said they came to find out about the legislative process and state finances.

"I think we have a very grave budget situation," said Ryan Kloeppel, a 21-year-old student from Westphalia. "Students are really interested in how the current budget might affect them."

Ross McFerron, the Student Government president, said he thinks students are considering tuition increases a done deal.

"Students expect it," he said. "They expect tuition increases. It's not a matter of whether or not it will happen, it's how much."

smoyers@semissourian.com

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