Nixon pledges no tuition increase, cuts to universities

Anthony Jackson, left, and Matt Sheppard, right, look on Wednesday as Gov. Jay Nixon announces his plan to help cap Missouri's rising tuition costs at a press conference at MU's Reynolds Alumni Center.   ¦  BETH SUDA

COLUMBIA — Gov. Jay Nixon pledged Wednesday to retain funding for the state's public universities and protect students from tuition increases in 2010. Nixon said he would submit a balanced budget to the legislature Tuesday with no cuts to higher education funding. UM President Gary Forsee said, however, the condition of the economy would keep the hiring freeze in place for now.