JEFFERSON CITY — This week in the halls of the Capitol, higher education institutions and their students made their presence known.

Senate Bill 492 received a hearing this week in the House Higher Education Committee. This beneficial legislation has the ability to make higher education institutions more efficient and meet state expectations. With 30 other states utilizing performance funding, our state could use a funding model that puts the responsibility of success in the hands of the schools.

Efficiency is one of the keys in performance-based funding, with retention numbers and graduation rates being a state priority. We have a responsibility to students to provide the best education for their dollar, while keeping student debt to a minimum. If Missouri wants to remain competitive in the rapidly expanding global market, we have to take steps to ensure students are ready. I look forward to continuing to move this legislation forward.

Visiting the Capitol this week was the Missouri Association of Social Welfare from UCM. We had a nice visit about their legislative priorities this session.

Also this week, I was honored to introduce almost 450 students on the Senate floor for Missouri International Student Awareness Day. Those students came to the Capitol from 27 public and private colleges and universities across the state to visit Jefferson City. They met with elected officials and took in the action that occurs in the building. There are approximately 17,000 international students attending Missouri schools each semester. Those young men and women contribute to the state’s institutions, making the fabric of our state culture deeper and more diverse. International students make a positive financial impact on our schools and communities

It was with great pleasure that I returned to Jefferson City this week after the University of Central Missouri Mules won the NCAA Division II Men’s Basketball Championship. This is only the second time in the school’s history to win a national championship, with the last national championship occurring 30 years ago. It was certainly an honor to be a part of the rally at the UCM Multipurpose Building. Congratulations are due to the team and the coaches. They typify the best our student athletes have to offer.

As always, please feel free to contact me or my staff with any questions or concerns at any time. We look forward to hearing your comments and suggestions and trying to answer any questions you may have. You can reach us by phone at 866-277-0882 (toll-free) or 573-751-2272, or by fax at 573-526-7381.