By Marshall Griffin, KWMU
Jefferson City, MO – The Missouri Senate has approved a 7% increase in spending for the state's higher education system.
Missouri will spend over $1.2 billion next year to fund universities, community colleges and various administrative costs.
The bill also includes the controversial move to expand eligibility for Access Missouri scholarships to students whose parents earn up to $200,000 a year.
State Senator Rob Mayer (R, Dexter) defends the increase.
"Sometimes when you're dealing with a higher amount of income, you have to take (into) consideration the tax responsibility of that family...we wanted as many students to have the opportunity to secure scholarship money to attend higher education institutions, and we believe that the measure that passed will do that," Mayer said.
State Senator Joan Bray (D, St. Louis) was disappointed with the increase in Access Missouri eligibility, but still voted "yes."
"You have to look at the total bill, and in fact we are giving our institutions of higher education (a) 4.2% increase, each of the campuses, so that's a positive," Bray said.
The bill passed the State House last night (Monday), so it now goes to Governor Matt Blunt for his signature.
Earlier today, the Missouri Senate also passed the $5.3 billion budget for K-12 schools. It, too, is on its way to the governor's desk.
Blunt is not expected to sign any of the budget bills until next month.