Ken McClure is sworn in as Springfield mayor April 11 after receiving 68 percent of the vote in this month’s municipal election.

Photo provided by CITY OF SPRINGFIELD

In an April 10 town hall-style meeting, Missouri State University President Clif Smart addresses a nearly $8 million budget shortage in state funding, the bulk of which affects the Springfield campus. On April 19, the MSU Board of Governors is scheduled to vote on a tuition increase and cost-savings plan.

Photo provided by MISSOURI STATE UNIVERSITY

During an April 11 visit to Springfield, state Auditor Nicole Galloway bashes transportation development districts and called for a complete overhaul of the taxing program. She said the districts allow for “taxation without representation” because of little input or oversight by taxpayers, which now are culpable for nearly $1 billion in outstanding project costs. She criticized the College Station TDD for failure to display the fact extra sales taxes were being charged.

SBJ photo by GEOFF PICKLE