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Senate Debates Bond Proposal

Senators debated a bill Monday that would put the state 350 million dollars in debt to pay for building projects at universities.

Missy Shelton reports.

This is the bond plan that is tied to the bill that would drop the regional designation from the name Southwest Missouri State University.

There was an unnsuccessful attempt by the chief name change opponent Democratic Senator Ken Jacob to remove language from the bond bil that ties it to the name change.

But other than that, debate focused on the econonmic impact of the bonding projects, not on the name change.

Senate President Pro Temp Peter Kinder is the bill sponsor.

He says most of the building projects funded by his proposal deal with life sciences.

And he says the proposal is important for making Missouri a center for life sciences research.

But some senators, both democrats and republicans expressed concerns about borrowing money to pay for new buildings.

Democratic Senator Jim Mathewson says he's not sure it will create economic growth.

The bill sponsor, Peter Kinder says future generations depend on lawmakers to have enough forsight and vision to approve his proposal.

He says there's a lot at stake, including future job opportunities.

Spending borrowed money on building projects is a chief concern cited by Republican Senator Matt Bartle.

He asked Kinder how he could defend a vote for the bond proposal when there are so many other pressing needs.

Bartle also argued funding for Interstate 70 should be a higher concern since it needs to be expanded and repaired.

But Kinder says his plan tries to deal with another problem facing the state.

Kinder also says the proposal will generate economic growth.

He contends that every dollar the state invests in these projects will generate five dollars in new revenue.

Republican Senator Matt Bartle says he's heard that promise made countless times during his years in the legislature...He calls it the promise of the amazing money machine.

The bill is up for first round approval in the senate.

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