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Feb. 2, 2018JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. |  By: Pinney / AP

Higher education leaders warn lawmakers against budget cuts

Presidents and fiscal officers from Missouri's two- and four-year colleges are warning lawmakers that any more higher education cuts in the state budget could result in more layoffs, program eliminations, deferred maintenance and tuition hikes.

University of Missouri System President Mun Choi spoke before a House education appropriations committee Wednesday, saying the system will continue focusing on improving student success and research but budget cuts will hinder those goals. The university system released a report last week recommending dozens of academic programs be eliminated, reviewed or combined.

Representative Allen Andrews, a Republican from Grant City, serves as vice-chairman of the House Education Appropriations Committee. He says the presentations from university presidents this week have affected legislators' view of Governor Eric Greitens' proposals. Andrews says the Governor's proposed cuts to public colleges and universities in Missouri are not feasible.

Wednesday's hearing was a continuation from Tuesday, when officials from several universities testified how budget cuts have strapped them in recent years. The schools' leaders say they'd need to increase tuition and fees to offset further cuts.