BE OUR GUEST

Amy Hammen is a senior at Southeast Missouri State University. She is pursuing a degree in education.

We need your help. The students, educators, and business persons of Missouri need your help. Proposition B may be the last chance for significant additional funding for education in this decade.

Proposition B is an important step forward for education in Missouri, but what does it mean for Southeast Missouri State University, regional public schools, and Southeast businesses?

Since the fall of 1988 when I entered Southeast and now, four years later as a senior, I have seen our incidental fees rise; programs such as the Sagamore yearbook and the soccer program have been eliminated; budgets in many areas including student labor and administration for student services have been cut. Just in the past year, Southeast students have experienced an 18% tuition increase, not including another increase for the spring semester. Over 4,900 needy college students from Southeast Missouri are eligible for Missouri State Grants, but do not receive assistance because the program is not fully funded. Southeast also has over $7 million of deferred maintenance for buildings and infrastructure due to a lack of funds.

With funds from Proposition B, monies for the Missouri Student Grant Program, mathematics and science scholarships, and minority scholarships will be increased. Southeast will also be able to provide new and enhanced academic programs such as advanced training for health professionals, social work programs for personnel working with the elderly, and national accreditation for the College of Business Administration. The university will also use the additional resources for building maintenance, handicapped access projects, and possibly to assist with the construction of the College of Business Administration building.

Proposition B will also have an impact on Missouri's public schools. As a future educator, I am deeply concerned about the quality of education our students receive. Everyone wants the students to receive a good education; however, it is very difficult to teach with large classes, little support from the home, or without adequate materials and supplies.

Proposition B will provide funds to help reduce class size. Over $15 million of the generated revenue is earmarked for incentive payments to districts that reduce class sizes in grades K-2. The Parents as Teachers program and other programs, primarily directed for at-risk youth, will receive additional funds to increase services. Increased accountability of public schools is expected by the public, and Proposition B will provide more money to educators to meet the public's demand for improved educational outcomes. Increased funding from Proposition B will help public schools provide our students at the elementary and secondary level with a solid education.

Thirdly, Proposition B will have a definite impact on the economic development of the state. A state's educational investment and its economic development are connected. The Southeast Missouri area needs a better-educated work force to become more attractive to new business and industry according to the experts. Proposition B will help accomplish this by improving public school services, access to community college programs, vocational, and adult literacy training, new and improved job training programs, and competitive university training in manufacturing technology. The economic condition of the state affects all of us. Proposition B can help Missouri have a healthy economy.

The cost for improving Missouri's education is not Missouri's largest tax increase. The cost of the "average" family of four with two wage earners and a $32,500 income will be 42 cents a month. This includes a sales tax increase of $49, but the increase is offset by an income tax decrease of $44. The combined sales/income tax increases $5 per year. The cost for a family with an income of $67,500 is $2.83.

Proposition B includes a 3/8-cent sales tax, 1.5% corporate tax, tobacco tax increase, and changes in the state income tax. The package lowers income tax for many low and middle-income families by increasing the dependent exemption from $400 to $800. It raises income tax for some upper income families by capping the amount of federal income tax individuals deduct when calculating state taxes.

There are high stakes for education in Missouri with Proposition B. Improvements in higher education, elementary and secondary education, and economic development can be accomplished through Proposition B funding.

As a student, and a future educator, I challenge each of you to learn the facts, make an informed decision, and vote on Nov. 5.