Governor Blunt Signs Legislation Recognizing Community Colleges' Important Role in Higher Education

FROM THE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR

July 01, 2008

Contact: Jessica Robinson, 573-751-0290


NEOSHO  Gov. Matt Blunt today visited Crowder College where he signed legislation acknowledging the important role community colleges play in preparing our students for the global economy.

"We have worked to provide Missouri students the resources they need to reach their full potential, and our community colleges play an important role in those efforts," Gov. Blunt said. "This legislation will eliminate outdated language and ensure community colleges are acknowledged as valuable education institutions."

House Bill 1869, sponsored by Rep. Kevin Wilson, requires the Missouri Revisor of Statutes to change all references of the term "junior college" to "community college" in the Revised Statutes of Missouri.

"I appreciate the governor signing House Bill 1869. This bill recognizes the important role that community colleges play in our educational system in the state of Missouri," Rep. Wilson said.

Education is Gov. Blunts highest public policy and budget priority. Since he took office the governor has signed budgets increasing funding for education by $1.2 billion.

Gov. Blunt also has been a champion for higher education in Missouri. When he took office, he immediately put an end to the previous administrations cuts in higher education. The governors support for higher education nearly quadruples funding available for Access Missouri scholarships and provides $105.8 million in new funding for colleges and universities. Additionally, Gov. Blunts Lewis and Clark Discovery Initiative is providing $335 million for colleges and universities across the state for important capital improvement projects on campus.

Specifically, $28.1 million within the Lewis and Clark Discovery Initiative has already been distributed to community colleges. Crowder College received $2.2 million. In addition the new Access Missouri scholarship program has increased the number of students who receive needs based scholarships at Crowder College from 55 to 385.