Missouri Promise plan is stymied

To the editor:

Recently I learned Missouri House Speaker Rod Jetton of Marble Hill, Mo., will speak at the Three Rivers Community College's commencement. Three Rivers president John Cooper heralded Jetton by saying he has been "an advocate for our state's community colleges." I disagree.

First, look at the MOHELA sale. Yes, Three Rivers received part of the $350 million sale for capital improvements, but what did students get? MOHELA is now a bankrupt loan agency that can no longer fulfill its purpose to provide low-interest loans to college students.

Second, tuition is rising. Under the current Republican leadership, Missouri ranks dead last in increases to higher education funding, Mizzou is the most expensive school in the Big 12, and for the first time in Missouri history, students are paying more than the state to support our public institutions.

Democratic leaders have provided solutions to make college affordable. Recently Attorney General Jay Nixon toured the state touting the Missouri Promise, which would expand the successful A+ Program used by many of my former classmates at Poplar Bluff High School to attend Three Rivers. The Missouri Promise would allow an A+ student with an associate's degree to attend a four-year public institution in Missouri tuition-free if that student maintains a 3.0 GPA and completes 50 hours of community service. Unfortunately, the legislation is stuck in the House Higher Education Committee chaired by state Rep. Gayle Kingery of Poplar Bluff and did not pass this year.

NATE KENNEDY, Columbia, Mo.