Holden joins student group to promote Proposition B

The Students of Missouri Assisting Rural and Urban Transportation, or SMART, were joined by Gov. Bob Holden in Cape Girardeau Friday as a part of the students' continuing efforts to promote Proposition B.

The SMART group was formed more than two years ago by a group of Canton, Mo., students after a classmate was killed on a two-lane stretch of Highway 61.

The group's two-day bus tour, which started Friday, travels through St. Louis, Cape Girardeau, Springfield, Kansas City and Jefferson City covering over 1,000 miles.

Jesse Uhlmeyer, 21, a Canton High School graduate, said he hopes their efforts will make more people aware of Missouri's road problems.

"We want to inspire other students to get motivated, express interest and join in," he said.

Holden said he is hopeful that with the help of these young people Proposition B will be a success with voters on Tuesday.

"Our trip across the state today is to improve our roads," he said.

The governor, his wife and their two sons are traveling with the SMART group during the two-day tour.

Holden said the proposal, which would raise the state fuel tax by 4 cents to 21 cents per gallon and increase the state sales tax by a half-cent to 4.725 cents on the dollar, has been a long time in coming. If Prop B does not pass, Holden said a similar initiative won't be advanced soon.

"There is no viable alternative," he said.

More student deaths

Since their fight to improve Missouri highways started in March 2000, the students from Canton have lost three more classmates in wrecks.

"They lost their lives because we didn't have good enough, safe enough roads," Holden said.

For Holden, the proposition is more than just a way to improve Missouri's transportation problems.

"I hope the people understand we're talking about these kids' future," Holden said.

Holden said alongside road improvement will come new economic developments for the state.

"They lose their economic opportunities if we don't get this passed," he said.

Over the last two years the student group has lobbied before the Missouri legislature in Jefferson City and traveled to Washington, D.C., to plead their case to Missouri's congressional delegation. They have also collected more than 50,000 signatures from Highway 61 users on the need for road improvements on that highway.

"Missouri is grateful for this small but mighty group," Holden said.

Regardless of the result at the polls, the SMART group doesn't see the Proposition B vote Tuesday as an end to their work. Samantha Cook, 16, said the group will continue to attempt to educate people on Missouri's road problems.

jjoffray@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 171