The Associated Press

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — A man who helped create the state’s higher education loan authority filed a petition Friday that could allow voters to decide whether to approve a plan to sell part of the authority’s assets to support college scholarships and buildings.

The plan, approved by lawmakers and pushed by Gov. Matt Blunt, would use $350 million from the Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority over six years for college scholarships and campus construction projects.

Former MOHELA board member Allan Purdy filed a petition Friday that would leave the final decision of whether to approve the plan to the voters if he gets enough signatures by the Aug. 28 deadline. The issue would be on the ballot in November 2008.

The state constitution allows measures already approved by the Legislature to be put on the ballot for approval. Petition gathers would need signatures from at least 5 percent of the voters in six of the state’s nine congressional districts.

Purdy, 92, said during an interview from his home in Columbia that the proposed uses for the money are fine but he disagrees with the plan to use MOHELA funds. And although the petition might be filed in his name, he said, getting the plan onto the ballot will be up to others.

“At my age, if the younger people want it done, they’re going to have to get the signatures,” Purdy said.

Throughout the week, Blunt has traveled the state to ceremonially sign the higher education bill.

A spokesman for the governor said Democratic Attorney General Jay Nixon and his supporters are continuing their attempts to derail Blunt’s plan.

“It’s unfortunate that Jay Nixon and his allies want to take away $350 million from Missouri’s students,” said Blunt spokesman Rich Chrismer.

Chrismer said there is wide support for the governor’s plan and Blunt isn’t worried that it will end up before the voters.

Nixon, who has opposed the plan, has also announced that he plans to run for governor in 2008.

Nixon said Purdy is “an independent actor concerned about the heritage of MOHELA” and denied that he has worked to try to get the plan on the ballot.

“It is a misguided policy to take money from the one agency designed to make college affordable and spend that money on a one-time down payment for capital projects,” Nixon said.

Purdy said he doesn’t work for anyone, isn’t affiliated with anyone and disagrees with using money from MOHELA for anything other than student loans.