http://ozarkspub.vo.llnwd.net/o37/KSMU/audio/mp3/governorel_1267.mp3
Governor-elect Matt Blunt was on the campus of Southwest Missouri State University today to talk about his plan to reign in tuition increases. KSMU's Missy Shelton reports.
STANDING OUTSIDE CARRINGTON HALL, THE S-M-S ADMINISTRATION BUILDING GOVERNOR-ELECT MATT BLUNT SAID LAWMAKERS SHOULD HAVE THE POWER TO APPROVE OR REJECT CERTAIN TUITION INCREASES.
BLUNT ALSO IS CALLING ON STATE LAWMAKERS TO KEEP HIGHER EDUCATION FUNDING STEADY...HE SAYS THAT WILL REDUCE THE NEED FOR DRAMATIC TUITION INCREASES.
BLUNT SAYS S-M-S ALREADY USES AS A PERFORMANCE MEASURE IT'S OWN ABILITY TO KEEP TUITION INCREASES FROM GOING BEYOND THE RATE OF INFLATION.
WHEN ASKED HOW HE FEELS ABOUT THE PROPOSAL, S-M-S PRESIDENT JOHN KEISER HAD THIS TO SAY.
SOME LAWMAKERS OPPOSE GIVING THE HOUSE AND SENATE OVERSIGHT OVER TUITION INCREASES.
COLUMBIA SENATOR CHUCK GRAHAM, WHOSE DISTRICT INCLUDES THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI SAYS IT WOULD BE A MISTAKE.
GRAHAM ALSO SAYS BLUNT'S PROPOSAL WOULD INTERJECT TOO MUCH POLITICS INTO THE PROCESS OF RAISING TUITION.
BESIDES LIMITING THE ABILITY OF GOVERNING BODIES TO RAISE TUITION, BLUNT ALSO PROPOSES REQUIREMENT THAT UNIVERSITIES TELL STUDENTS HOW MUCH THEIR ENTIRE FOUR-YEAR EDUCATION WILL COST WHEN THEY INITIALLY ENROLL.
BLUNT SAYS IT WOULD BRING ABOUT ACCOUNTABILITY.
BLUNT SAYS HE'S OPEN TO WORKING OUT THE EXACT DETAILS OF THESE PROPOSALS WITH LAWMAKERS...AND COLUMBIA SENATOR CHUCK GRAHAM SAYS HE SUPPORTS LOCKING IN THE PRICE OF TUITION AND FEES WHEN STUDENTS ENROLL IN A COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY.