JEFFERSON CITY • Gov. Jay Nixon announced today that he is releasing $8.5 million in higher education that he previously withheld, boosting funding for Missouri colleges and universities to nearly the full level state lawmakers budgeted last year.
Nixon cited higher-than-anticipated state revenue collections in announcing his decision. Missouri’s general revenue report for January, which came out today, shows collections up 9.5 percent over the same month last year.
“Today’s general revenue report reflects these positive trends and allows us to make this additional funding available for higher education institutions and other programs,” Nixon said.
The money made available for higher education includes $1.3 million split over Missouri’s community colleges and $7.1 million for four-year institutions, more than half of which will go to the University of Missouri.
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It does not include $300,000 that Nixon restricted from a $3 million program equity proposal.
Nixon also released funding for three programs for foster care and needy children, as well as funding for the Missouri State Historical Society.
Also today: Nixon signed three executive orders to reorganize some government agencies.
Elizabeth Crisp covers Missouri politics and state government for the Post-Dispatch. Follow her on Twitter at @elizabethcrisp.
