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Update: Wednesday, July 28 at 12:57 p.m.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Missouri Auditor Susan Montee said the Department of Higher Education should have been more involved in picking projects for a college construction program.

Montee's office released an audit Wednesday focused on a 2007 plan for the Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority to sell assets to pay for college construction. The student loan agency since has fallen behind on payments and some projects have been put on hold.

The auditor said the higher education department should have been more involved in picking the construction projects and deciding which to delay when funding fell short.

In a written response, the state Office of Administration said the department was consulted but the Legislature and governor are responsible for the funding decisions.

Original Story:

Missouri State Auditor Susan Montee plans to release reviews of the state Department of Higher Education and a college campus construction program.

Montee scheduled a news conference Wednesday to discuss the findings.

Montee's office looked into a 2007 plan for the Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority to sell some assets to pay for college construction. The student loan agency has fallen behind on payments and some of the construction projects have been put on hold.

The other audit examines how the state's Department of Higher Education is governed.