POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- How state funding will be allocated to the Missouri Department of Higher Education in the next budget is uncertain, but some area legislators will not be able to deny they heard the plea from the community college sector before going into session in January.

Eight state representatives and two senators, including the respective leaders of each legislative body -- incoming state House Speaker Steve Tilley and incoming state Senate President Pro Tem Rob Mayer -- held a roundtable discussion about budgetary issues with higher education officials Friday at Three Rivers Community College.

"We really just need more classroom space," said Zora Mulligan, Missouri Community College Association director. "Every student who comes in the doors should be able to receive an education, but our open enrollment policy is being compromised."

Enrollment at two-year institutions, totaling 108,000 students statewide, has surpassed that of Missouri's four-year universities, yet the state is dispersing funds to community colleges 10 percent less than in 2001, Mulligan said. Aware that general revenue is down, she only asked that the current level of funding be maintained.

Three Rivers took a $250,000 hit in the current fiscal year and, according to community college president Dr. Devin Stephenson, and is anticipating at least $700,000, or 15 percent, in state cuts for FY12. He made the case how his leadership team is "doing a lot with a little" through partnerships.

"Community colleges have the ability to meet workforce demands and the employer demands of the future," Stephenson said. "We are Johnny-on-the-spot to the rescue when folks need help."

The president told legislators Three Rivers has recently acquired $3.3 million from the State Emergency Management Agency to establish safe rooms at Poplar Bluff and the 38 acres the Scott Matthews family donated in Sikeston. American City Bureau will initiate a fundraising campaign with a goal of $15 million for expanding the brick and mortar projects to an event center on the community college's home base, plus a new classroom building at both locations, he noted.

Next month, a community college extension center will open for business in Dexter in collaboration with the Stoddard County Development Foundation, Stephenson said, and the health science program on the main campus will be shifted downtown to Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center's south campus.

Dr. Richard Camp of Poplar Bluff has pledged eight acres for the creation of a 1,400-by-200-foot grand entrance off the recently opened Shelby Road, Stephenson said.

"I understand president Stephenson has requests for new capital projects," replied Mayer "He's not alone."

Private sector jobs will be the state's agenda next year, explained Mayer, a Republican from Dexter. For the past two years, the Missouri unemployment rate has remained 9.5 percent and general revenue has been down 16 percent, he said.

"This is a historical recession," Mayer said. "We haven't seen people in bread lines or jumping off buildings, but it's been tough."

To turn the economy around, the senator said he will push to cap the Missouri franchise tax at $2 million, revise workers' compensation laws so employers can no longer be sued twofold through the court system, and get the 'right to work' bill passed so workers are not forced to pay union dues.

While the state is poised to generate about $250 million in increased general revenue during FY12, a 3.5 percent growth over the current fiscal year, entitlements the law requires the state to pay out are slated to go up by about the same amount, Mayer said.

Tilley, R-Perryville, said there is going to be a "unique situation" in the General Assembly this year, as both legislative bodies appear to be on the same page for the most part, under large Republican majorities.

In attendance on behalf of the not-for-profit Three Rivers Endowment Trust, Mid Continent Nail owner Doug Libla asked why Southeast Missouri State University receives 10 times the state funding of Three Rivers, yet only has three times the amount of students.

Kathy Swan of Cape Girardeau, a member of the Missouri Coordinating Board for Higher Education, pointed out that the future funding model is going to be based on degree completion, not headcount.

Historically, universities were thought to need more money to deliver higher degree programs, according to Mulligan, but she challenged the notion to be revisited since two-year institutions need more resources to get non-traditional students, such as displaced workers, college ready.

Community colleges also receive local tax support, Mulligan added, but Stephenson pointed out that Three Rivers serves 15 counties, yet collects from a four-county taxing district, which only equates to $1.7 million of its $19.5 million budget.

"We're going to challenge how things have always been done," Tilley said. "I look forward to trying to find an answer to your questions."

Tilley said he named incoming state Reps. Steve Cookson of Fairdealing and Todd Richardson of Poplar Bluff to the House's Higher Education Committee for that very purpose.

The dialogue ended with Stephenson and Mulligan honoring Mayer and Sen. Jason Crowell of Cape Girardeau with awards for their community college advocacy, making sure that higher education institutions in Missouri adhere to their respective missions in accordance with public policy.