The budget lawmakers sent Gov. Jay Nixon on Thursday doesn't eliminate the Sue Shear Institute for Women In Public Life.
But it does contain language warning all Missouri public colleges and universities against using state budget money for political activity.
"Anything using state resources for a political campaign - other than for educational purposes - I think is a problem," Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Kurt Schaefer, R-Columbia, told Sen. Jane Cunningham Thursday afternoon.
Cunningham, R-Chesterfield, has complained for some time that the Shear Institute - part of the University of Missouri-St. Louis - favors Democrats.