WISH LIST IS PART OF STATE FUNDING GAME

Southeast Missouri State University has a long and expensive wish list. The Board of Regents recently approved the university's official request of $54 million from the state. The bulk of the request is tied to four priority projects.

It is no surprise that the River Campus project tops the list. The university will seek an additional $13.2 million to help transform the former seminary into a visual and performing arts center.

The university also wants to renovate Academic Hall. It's second on the priority list, and the cost would run about $13.5 million. Upgrading the science complex would cost an additional $13 million, and improvements to Kent Library would run $12 million. A number of smaller projects and improvements fill out the list.

The university doesn't expect to get all $54 million. But to play the game of state funding, requests have to be on the table several years before they are likely to be granted.

It's kind of like lining up airplanes to land at a busy airport. If you don't request a slot well in advance, you'll never get near the landing field -- unless, of course, an emergency develops.

Southeast is not alone in the state funding game. All other state universities and government agencies inflate their yearly budget requests with projects they know won't be approved this year.

It doesn't mean they aren't legitimate requests. But government entities realize there are only so many dollars to go around, and taxpayers are glad there are limits.

The university's budget request first goes to the Coordinating Board for Higher Education, which gives each request a priority assignment. Then the Legislature and governor will study the proposals to determine if the requests fit into their own budgets. A compromise will be hammered out during the legislative session -- gaining approval from a majority of lawmakers throughout the state or getting cut in committee.

Consider it a system of checks and balances. The process makes it difficult for frivolous or foolish projects to gain funding.

And it all begins with a wish list.