Mississippi universities seek bonds after 2017 brought none

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Mississippi's eight public universities thought they had a deal with lawmakers for predictable bond funding each year. But the Legislature didn't do any general borrowing earlier this year. Now, as the universities make their yearly bond request, they're emphasizing the importance of a yearly money infusion to campus operations.

Higher Education Commissioner Glenn Boyce called on trustees, university presidents and their supporters to press lawmakers to avoid this year's outcome as the College Board on Thursday voted to forward university requests for 2018 bond money to the Legislature.

Not only did lawmakers not borrow, they cut maintenance money from regular appropriations as part of broader budget cuts.