By AP/ Missouri Public Radio
Jefferson City, MO. – Governor Matt Blunt is planning to delay up to $100 million in payments to Missouri's major universities.
The University of Missouri system, as well as five other state universities, will get just 30 percent of their funding for March, April and May. The rest will arrive in June.
Governor Spokesman Paul Sloca says the money will be paid back in full and the affect of the deferment on universities will be limited.
"They'll get their money back in June and no services will be interrupted, there will be no impact on tuition or day-to-day lives of students at the University of Missouri or any of the other universities," Sloca said.
He says the move is necessary to try to balance the state's cash flow.
But Democrats say the governor is breaking a promise he made during the State of the State address not to cut higher education.