The conference will be held in Glenn Auditorium in Dempster Hall. It is sponsored by the Center for Economic and Business Research, the Department of Economics and Finance and the Donald L. Harrison College of Business.

Speakers include Dr. Ed Robb, director of the Economic and Policy Analysis Research Center at the University of Missouri-Columbia. Robb will explain why the budget situation in the state of Missouri deteriorated so quickly and prospects for improvement in the future. Also speaking will be state Rep.Rod Jetton, of the Missouri House of Representatives, who will discuss the state's budget situation from a legislator's point of view. The third speaker, Jay Knudtson, mayor of Cape Girardeau, will speak on the budget situation in the City of Cape Girardeau.

The conference is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. An informal luncheon will follow. The cost of the conference is $12, which includes lunch.

Reservations are required and must be made by Tuesday, Feb. 4, by calling the Department of Economics and Finance at (573) 651-2181 or the Center for Economic and Business Research at (573) 651-2013.