Blunt pondering special legislative session to consider MOHELA plan

~ Any special session could see an agenda limited by the governor.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Gov. Matt Blunt is contemplating calling a special session for legislators to consider his plan to use student loan agency profits to finance college construction projects.

Blunt's office said Wednesday that the potential special session would start in January -- the same time legislators convene their annual session that runs through mid-May.

A special session can last up to 60 days, and the governor can limit the agenda, unlike a regular session where lawmakers can consider anything they choose.

Under a plan agreed to by Blunt's administration and the Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority, the Chesterfield-based loan agency would transfer $350 million to the Missouri Development Finance Board over six years. Most of that money then would be distributed to universities and colleges for new and improved buildings.

The MOHELA board endorsed the plan in September. But the deal is contingent upon the 2007 legislature also approving the plan and shielding from conflict of interest claims any MOHELA member affiliated with a college, university or the state Coordinating Board for Higher Education.

The agreement calls for $170 million to be transferred to the state by March 31, and MOHELA already has begun setting aside money to comply with that. But none of the money can be transferred until the legislative measure has passed, been signed by the governor and taken effect.

Blunt spokeswoman Jessica Robinson said the governor is weighing a special session because he wants the university and college projects to get started.

The governor would "consider any option that would allow the legislative action to become effective more quickly and for the state to recognize the benefits of the initiative as soon as possible," she said.

House Speaker Rod Jetton, R-Marble Hill, said a special session would enhance the focus on the MOHELA legislation. He also noted that it traditionally takes longer for the legislature to start considering bills after an election year, because there are new members, new committees and, often, new operating procedures.

"I hope that he does call the special session," Jetton said Wednesday. "While we're getting organized and setting up rules, we can get a committee organized (to handle the MOHELA measure) and just knock that out in the first few weeks."

Although it does not always do so, the Legislature also can act quickly on major bills during its regular session. In 2005, during Blunt's first year in office, the new Republican-led Legislature passed a pair of bills limiting injury claims in state courts and the workers' compensation system before lawmakers adjourned for their mid-March spring break.