The University of Missouri system is among decision-making bodies feeling greater pressure from the state Legislature this session.
In reaction to turmoil at the school's Columbia campus, House Budget Chairman Tom Flanigan, R-Carthage, has proposed cutting more than $7 million from the system's administration. Funding for the Columbia campus would be decreased by $400,000, which includes the salary of Melissa Click, an assistant professor who has been suspended while the school investigates her role in student protests.
As established by the state Constitution, the University of Missouri system is independently governed by a nine-member Board of Curators.
Consequently, elected legislators who disagree with the curators' actions, or inactions, register displeasure through the power of the purse-strings.
This is part of a trend among lawmakers' attempts to extend their influence and/or authority. Consider:
• The Legislature is considering a proposal that would ask voters to expand the members of Missouri's Conservation Commission from four members to six members. Like the university's board of curators, the Conservation Commission is established in the state Constitution as a governing body independent of legislative oversight.
A key difference between the two boards, however, is conservation largely is financed by its own dedicated funding stream approved by voters, providing increased protection from legislative budget pressures.
• Another bill would give lawmakers a majority on a newly established Capitol Complex Committee. The proposal would transfer oversight of the Capitol building to a three-member panel - two legislative leaders and the chief executive - from the existing Board of Public Buildings, whose voting members are three executive branch office-holders.
To some extent, the legislative power plays are understandable. In the cases of the state university system and conservation efforts, elected lawmakers - in addition to appointed board members - tend to be on the receiving end of public criticism.
But the constitutional independence of select groups was established for sound reasons, among them to distance decisions from politics.
Whenever an attempt is made to usurp another's authority, we are reminded of the grandmotherly advice to "stick to your knitting."
The Legislature has plenty of knitting in its basket this session. We encourage lawmakers to avoid attempts to extend their sphere of influence where it is neither welcomed nor needed.