During Remarks to Cape Girardeau Chamber, Gov. Nixon Says Fiscal Discipline Is Paving the Way for Prudent Investments

Press Release

During remarks at the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce today, Gov. Jay Nixon discussed how fiscal discipline is paving the way for prudent investments, including long-overdue improvements at higher education institutions around the state. The Governor said he plans to work with legislators during the upcoming session on a strategic, fiscally responsible bond issuance that will include nearly $12 million in repairs and renovations to facilities at Southeast Missouri State University and Three Rivers Community College.

"Over the past six years, we've worked together in a bipartisan way to balance the budget and protect our spotless AAA credit rating," Gov. Nixon said. "This commitment to fiscal discipline has yielded real benefits for Missouri families and businesses. By making state government smaller, smarter and more efficient, we now have an opportunity to move forward with these kinds of long-overdue and much-needed investments."

Last year, the Missouri General Assembly passed additional bonding capacity, authorizing up to $200 million in projects at community colleges and four-year institutions around the state. Both two- and four-year higher education institutions have now submitted project lists for this funding, placing priority upon those projects that address the most critical needs of their institution. Many of the projects identified by colleges and universities will improve facilities in the areas of science, math, engineering and technology, referred to as STEM fields.

Southeast Missouri State has identified over $10 million in repair and renovation projects including improvements to the Grauel Building, Crisp Hall, and Brandt Hall. Renovations to the Grauel Building will add clinic space to accommodate additional demand for services at SEMO's Center for Speech and Hearing, which provides treatment to adults and children with communication disorders.

Three Rivers Community College has identified over $1.9 million in projects that will help upgrade facilities including the Westover Classroom Building, Crisp Technology Center, the Tinnin Center, the Education Building and the Academic Resource Commons.

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