By Marshall Griffin, KWMU
Jefferson City, MO. – The proposal to spend $350 million in MOHELA funds on new university buildings across the state has been set aside, to the delight of Democrats and the frustration of the governor and Republican leaders.
A filibuster by Senate Democrats forced Republican leaders to come up with a compromise bill on the MOHELA plan, but it was rejected, and now the proposal is in limbo.
Governor Matt Blunt accuses Democrats of playing politics.
"The minority position appears to be to try and stop the bill under any, with any method possible, without really trying to negotiate on any point of difference that may still remain," Blunt said.
The governor says, though, that there is still plenty of time left in this year's session to pass a higher education reform bill that would include the MOHELA proposal.