Interpreting Nixon’s Ellis Fischel veto

            Gov. Jay Nixon’s decision to delay but not veto a $31 million allocation for the Ellis Fischel Cancer Center is being interpreted as either a somewhat positive or a negative development. But it’s certain that the project faces future obstacles.

            State Sen. Kurt Schaefer, a Columbia Republican, characterized the Democratic governors’ move as “devastating,” adding that there was federal stimulus dollars available to fund the Ellis Fischel project immediately.

            Schaefer said that while the project avoided the veto, the next step is trying to convince Nixon to release funds so the project can be finished.

            University of Missouri System President Gary Forsee said Nixon’s decision was  “disappointing.” The new Ellis Fischel Cancer Center was designed to comprise two floors of a seven-story medical tower at University Hospital.

“As a practical consequence, all planning for these projects must come to a halt as the university re-evaluates its options,” Forsee said in the statement. “These construction and renovation projects enjoy wide public support and address long-standing problems with aging facilities that no longer serve the purposes for which they are intended. We fully understand the state is facing challenging financial times, but eliminating or delaying funding for shovel-ready projects represents a missed opportunity to stimulate the economy by providing jobs and better education and health care services for Missourians.”

            On the one hand, Nixon’s decision means the legislature won’t have to reallocate the money or try to overturn the governor’s veto. But by withholding the money, Nixon can effectively cling onto the funds for an undetermined period of time.

            Nixon cited the worsening economy for his decision-making, arguing that he doesn’t want Missouri to go through budget nightmare of other states.

            “These are important projects, we hope to find a cost-effective way of moving forward on them,” Nixon said. “But the dollars, in short, just aren’t there.”

            Because of Nixon’s decision, Rep. Chris Kelly, a Columbia Democrat, said, people will know that the funding for the project “will be there, ultimately.”

            “And second, the possibility exists that we can get some of money released if it’s needed to make the tower go,” Kelly said. “So, I’m very encouraged.”

            When asked if the move would delay the construction of structure, Kelly said “I don’t necessarily think that.”

            “It’s possible, but not by any stretch of the imagination likely,” Kelly said. “It’s certainly possible.”