Governor Nixon and leaders of Missouri’s four-year universities have renewed their deal that will take pressure off the state to increase funding for higher education.

Governor Nixon discusses tuition decision with UMSL students (UPI / Bill Greenblatt)

The thirteen schools have agreed to hold the line on tuition for in-state undergraduate students in the coming school year. In return, Nixon has agreed to recommend reduced funding for higher education in the 2010-2011 budget by no more than $42 million.  Last year’s agreemend did not involve a funding cut.

Nixon and college presidents are saying the agreement furthers the state’s need for trained, educated citizens “ready to work.” However the agreement means higher education will remain short of funds for maintenance and for salary increases for faculty and staff.

The agreement still must be approved by the governing boards of the institutions and by the General Assembly that begins its session in January and has appropriation authority. However, Nixon has the power to veto appropriations that exceed the agreement–which does not protect students from other states or graduate students from being hit with higher tuition.