House Committe approves education budget.

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Intro:	The House trimmed and transferred funds to approve an education budget for next year.
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OutCue:	SOC

Wrap: There were no changes to the governor's proposal of cutting 7 percent to higher education.

That would mean about a 30 million dollar decrease in appropiations for the UM system.

Committee chairman Representative Mike Lair from Chillicothe says 7 percent is a middle grou nd both sides can work with.

Actuality:	LAIR1.WAV
Run Time:	00:13
Description: "From what I'm hearing at the senate, I think that 7 percent is probably pretty solid. Its something that colleges have told us they can live with and its something we are going to be able to fund."

There were no ammendments proposed to increase funding for higher education and that includes Columbia's representative Mary Still.

The bill will now go to the budget committee then to the house floor.

Reporting from the Capitol I'm Brian Bondus

Intro:	No ammendments were proposed to increase or decrease funding for higher education in the house committee hearing today.
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OutCue:	SOC

Wrap: The Governor proposed a 7 percent decrease for higher education.

The decrease would mean a 30 million dollar loss of appropriations for the UM system.

Not even Mary Still from Columbia proposed a increase for higher education funding.

Actuality:	MSTILL1.WAV
Run Time:	00:08
Description: "And I am very, very disappionted that we are in this situation in this state, becasue I firmly believe there are things we can do to increase revenue."

She says that an increased cigarette tax or the mainstreet protection act could raise funds for education.

House bills 2 and 3 were approved by the committee and will go to the budget committee next, then to the house floor.

Reporting from the Capitol, I'm Brian Bondus.

Intro:	The House Committee for education appropiations approved a budget that included a 7 percent decrease for higher education.
RunTime:	0:33
OutCue:	SOC

Wrap: This would mean a loss of 30 million dollars in appropiations for the UM system.

Not even Columbia's representative Mary Still proposed an increase in funding.

She says the University will most likely pass burden onto the students.

Actuality:	MSTILL.WAV
Run Time:	00:06
Description: "Well I think the way the University probably will adjust to this is to raise tuition."

She says she is disapointed with the budget, because there are things the state could do to raise funds.

House bills 2 and 3 will now go to the budget committee and then to the house floor.

Reporting from the Capitol, I'm Brian Bondus.