SEMO plan sets wrong precedent

To the editor:

I don't know House Speaker Rod Jetton, but one thing I can say is that I agree with his position against Southeast Missouri State University's attempt to force our state legislature into providing funding for the River Campus project. This is clearly a case of the tail wagging the dog, and I don't appreciate it. In this case, I feel the Southeast regents got a little too big for their britches. If this type of funding process sets a precedent and other campuses begin using it, then woe be to all taxpayers in this state. Jetton is right, and more power to him. Who are the parents in this case? It's the Missouri Legislature. Who are the kids? It's Southeast. The kids don't need to be telling the parents how to spend the family's limited income.

J.B. KASTEN, Jackson