KBIA Local
(2009-01-29)
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JEFFERSON CITY, MO
(KBIA) -
The MOHELA college construction program, one of former Governor Matt Blunt's top priorities, has been frozen by Missouri's new Governor, Jay Nixon. Nixon has suspended work indefinitely on a 31-million-dollar cancer center at the University of Missouri - Columbia and on various other projects. They're funded by profits from the state's student loan authority, but the economic downturn has resulted in delays in payments. GOP House Budget Chairman Allen Icet says, though, that doesn't justify halting construction:
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"You know, if we're talking about jobs and trying to stimulate the economy, why would you cancel projects that clearly create jobs in the construction industry and other industries when the state of Missouri really needs this?"
Democrats strongly opposed the MOHELA construction program two years ago, saying the funds should be used for their original purpose of providing loans to college students. We contacted Governor Nixon's office for this story, but so far no one has responded.
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