Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens on Wednesday vetoed a bill that would have funded a new arts campus for the University of Missouri-Kansas City.
Greitens said the bill would have cost taxpayers over $75 million. The Missouri Legislature passed a measure in April to issue up to $48 million in state bonds to cover half the art project's campus, according to The Associated Press.
"They had no plan for who would pay the bills - about $55 million in state debt and interest and $20 million in operating costs. Worse, this spending was hidden in the budget at $1 because politicians were 'borrowing' the money," Greitens said in an emailed statement.
University of Missouri System officials announced Wednesday the system plans to develop alternative funding plans for the $96 million arts campus. The details of the funding plan will be presented at the Missouri Board of Curators meeting in September, The Associated Press reported.
"This approach will allow construction to begin sooner and save money by avoiding construction cost inflation on a project that will benefit the students of UMKC, the people of Kansas City and the state of Missouri," Choi said.
Greitens applauded the plan.
"They've committed to develop a detailed plan to pay for it by making tough budget decisions and using private funds along with strong leaders in the Kansas City community. That's how it should be," the governor said.