By Marshall Griffin, KWMU
Jefferson Cit y, MO – Governor Matt Blunt's college construction plans have suffered a setback, due to concerns over potential human cloning.
A senate committee has removed 5 building projects from the University of Missouri and one from Harris-Stowe State University due to concerns they could be used for an embryonic cloning procedure. Blunt hopes the projects, worth 113 million dollars, can be added back in.
"I obviously support all the projects on the list," says Blunt, "but even what happened today is a strong step forward.
Blunt says he expects there to be even more debate when the measure comes before the full Senate.
"Obviously there's a strong level of legislative oversight...we've asked them to validate this process. I think the agreement is strong, obviously they can approve, I think, components and portions of the agreement as they see fit."
But the governor also hopes the 6 building projects in question, worth 113 million dollars, will be added back in when the legislation makes it to the Senate floor.
Blunt wants to use 350 million dollars in MOHELA funds to pay for new classrooms, labs, and other buildings Missouri's public universities.