Editorial: Columbia’s legislators speak up for students

Representatives keep college students' interests at the forefront.

Published May 7, 2009

Columbia’s House representatives might be new to Jefferson City, but they have already shown the determination needed to stick up for one of their largest group of constituents: college students.

Rep. Chris Kelly’s, D-Columbia, sponsorship of House Joint Resolution 32, which would allow the state legislature to issue bonds for higher education buildings, is in the Senate and could pass before the session is over. This kind of bill from a freshman representative shows Kelly has our best interests at heart.

Reps. Mary Still and Stephen Webber, D-Columbia, have been pretty busy, too. Still introduced legislation that would have clamped down on payday lenders, and Webber sponsored a bill aimed at covering pay discrepancies for state employees serving in the armed forces overseas. Although both of these measures failed, our legislators gave a good faith effort to show they support issues important to college students.

Even when not sponsoring legislation, these three have generally stood up for our rights and sided with us on many issues, including concealed-carry on campus. For amplifying our own voice, Columbia’s legislators acted as the best megaphone for students.