Editorial:

Mo. legislators rightly looking toward job creation

Using a $700 million bond can only provide good for the state.

Published March 5, 2009

As the economy continues to worsen and employment rates continue to plummet, Rep. Chris Kelly, D-Columbia, has the right idea -- create more jobs.

Kelly has proposed a $700 million bond that would cover the projects originally targeted from the sale of assets from the Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority, as well as a major construction project on every state university's campus.

The funding of these projects is important. The completion of Ellis Fischel Cancer Center would bring positive changes to Columbia, as well as the state. And spending money on a construction project for each of the state's universities would provide more than one positive change; building maintenance is one of the first things ignored by universities in times of budget crisis. And if the universities are working on a project, the money from this bond taking over the funding will free up money for the universities. This will allow focus on a lot of valuable components of the universities being ignored under the economic crisis (this is our not so subtle hint about MU's valuable components -- teachers).

If this bill passes, construction jobs would see a boost throughout the state -- important in an economic crisis, especially for one of the industries being hit the hardest. Job creation should be a main focus in regards to elevating us from the current economic failure.

Arguments against Kelly's proposal are flawed. Sen. Jason Crowell, R-Cape Girardeau, who has come out strongly against the proposal, doesn't think the money will help stimulate the economy. But creating jobs isn't going to make the economy weaker -- it's going to help the people of Missouri who are currently unemployed put money back into the economy.

The argument based on Missouri getting money from the federal stimulus package also doesn't discredit Kelly's proposal, namely because the federal stimulus package is already allotted for various things. Just because the state is already getting money from the federal stimulus package doesn't mean this bond wouldn't be a huge asset to the state -- rudimentarily comparing the impact based on the amount in these very different packages is an inadequate approach to this situation -- especially considering the continued financial ruin being felt all over.

And the investment in these projects should help pay back the interest doubters like Crowell are so fixated on.

Denying an opportunity to create more jobs and to help out the state universities that are already floundering under the weight of the economy would be an extremely poor and shortsighted decision.