Springfield college hires lobbyist for federal aid

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Fearing more cutbacks in state aid, officials of Southwest Missouri State University have decided to pay a lobbying firm about $150,000 to help secure more federal funds.

The university's Board of Governors approved hiring The Livingston Group of Washington, D.C., on Friday, after school President John Keiser warned that the state may again withhold money.

"Trying to do this yourself is like throwing money down a toilet," board president Paul Redfearn said. "It's better working with a group like this."

More than $12 million was withheld from Southwest Missouri State in the fiscal year that ended June 30, and Gov. Bob Holden cut higher education funding by 10 percent in the current fiscal year.

To compensate, Southwest Missouri State increased tuition 15.4 percent during the last academic year. Tuition and fees now account for 42 percent of the university's revenue.

Keiser is worried the state's funding problems will continue.

"I'm not optimistic about the state's budget situation. Everybody we talk to believes that there will be a holdback sometime in the next couple of months," Keiser said.

Joe Martin with the Coordinating Board for Higher Education said withholdings are possible.

"We have not received any official word, but we're anticipating the likelihood of withholdings this year," he said.

Besides vying for federal dollars, Southwest Missouri State is considering delaying purchases, pressing for more private donations or once again raising tuition.

The university will pay The Livingston Group -- one of six lobbying firms to bid for the job -- $12,500 a month plus expenses under a one-year contract.

Documents presented to the board in support of the firm, which was founded by former Louisiana congressman Bob Livingston, said school officials expect to receive $10 in federal money for every dollar spent on the group. That means the school plans on receiving $1.5 million from the federal government.

In its fiscal 2003 budget, Southwest Missouri State estimated it would receive $220,000 in federal money out of $134 million in total revenue.

"The Livingston Group knows we have high expectations for their work," Keiser said.

Nick Hayes, a consultant with The Livingston Group, said Southwest Missouri State needs lobbyists to compete with other universities asking Uncle Sam for money.

"Congress wants to help, but you've got to be here screaming," Hayes said.

Other universities that have hired The Livingston Group include Tulane, Louisiana State, the University of New Orleans and George Washington University.

The University of Missouri system pays its full-time lobbyist, which it has had for about four years, $95,900 a year. The four-campus system also pays $12,000 a month to use the lobbying firm of VanScoyoc and Associates in Washington.

University of Missouri officials report that lobbying efforts have helped the system secure about $150 million in federal money in the past three years, including $34 million to pay for half the cost of the new life sciences center at the Columbia campus.