Editorial:

Chris Kelly a champion for students

Published Sept. 29, 2009

So often, citizens are used to politicians being elected and failing to deliver on any campaign promise. It has become almost common for politicians to make dozens of promises on the campaign trail and never come through on them once they are in office. We have become apathetic to it, so when a politician actually comes through for his or her constituents, we are so thankful this person has remembered whom he or she is in office to help.

State Rep. Chris Kelly, D-Columbia, has become a true crusader for the university and we are consistently astounded with how much he seems to truly care about fighting for us. When politicians represent a district with a college town in it, it seems like they often forget college students are included in their constituency. Kelly never fails to fight for us.

Now, with the proposed bond project, Kelly is working for MU to receive money to renovate Lafferre Hall. This engineering building is in need of repair and isn't allowing engineering students to learn all they need to know in order to succeed.

In the past year, we have seen funding for higher education turn into a game of political football. This should not be a partisan issue. The problems raised should be used for a healthy debate about the issues, not as a political tool for the two parties to turn against each other.

Although we understand the majority of Missourians who vote are not directly affected by this funding, having good colleges and universities in the state is a huge benefit for everyone. It helps boost the economy and turn out well-educated students.

It seems people have lost sight of the need for good education in Missouri. If education stays on the back burner at some point, such as when old buildings are hurting the students' education, it is time to put aside differences and actually secure the funding.

Thank you Chris Kelly for remembering MU students make up a large part of your constituency. We appreciate you — and the other Columbia representatives, Mary Still, D-Columbia, and Stephen Webber, D-Columbia — continuing to work for us. We just hope the political games do not dissuade these crusaders from continuing to fight for us. We need your voices.