Statement: Senator Nasheed Comments on Recent Education Funding Cuts

JEFFERSON CITY — State Sen. Jamilah Nasheed, D-St. Louis, released a statement this week regarding vetoes and restrictions made to funding for educating Missouri students.

“Today I call on all Missouri Senate and House members to join me in overriding dozens of the governor's harmful cuts to Missouri's education funding.  These cuts represent the latest in a timeline of political fighting that I had hoped the governor was above.

A few examples:

 

• Foundation Formula - over $100 million withheld
• Reading instruction - $2.5 million of $3.5 million vetoed
• St. Louis math and science tutoring - vetoed in its entirety
• Scholars and Fine Arts Academies - $550,000 of $750,000 vetoed; remainder withheld
• Parents as Teachers - $1 million withheld
• Early grade literacy program - withheld in its entirety
• Missouri Preschool Program - $3 million of $4 million withheld

 

The burden of the more than 40 vetoes and withholds by the governor will be carried on the backs of our children.

For years we have known that better education leads to better outcomes, not only for the student, but the state as a whole.  An educated Missouri means jobs.  We educate both the workers, and the business owners.  An educated Missouri means lower corrections costs and lower crime-prevention costs.  Education leads to jobs and breaks the cycle of poverty, which all too often leads to crime in a misguided attempt to make ends meet.  An educated Missouri recruits new businesses moving to Missouri needing a workforce.  An educated Missouri makes Medicaid expansion an academic discussion.  An educated Missouri makes the safety net just a safety net, and not a life-long cycle.  An educated Missouri means business.

Instead of sacrificing our future to a political fight, I ask my colleagues to join me in sacrificing the political fight in order to educate our future.   An educated Missouri is a safe, healthy and prosperous Missouri.

To the governor, I ask, ‘Why is education not your top priority?’”

Senator Nasheed can be reached by contacting her Capitol office at (573) 751-4415.