Education proposal ignores middle class

The House Democrats in Missouri have a new plan to provide higher education costs for low income students. Hard to argue with a proposal that would help fund college costs but, of course, I'll argue with it nonetheless.

For starters, though noble in their intentions, the plan borders on the comical. Under the Democrats' scholarship plan, low income eighth-graders must sign a pledge promising not to use drugs or alcohol or commit a crime. In return, if those students maintain a C average, the state would pay for college expenses.

And just how will the Democrats monitor that pledge? Well, obviously they won't. And they can't. Can you imagine a low-income senior in high school telling his counselor that he tried a beer or two and thus is ineligible for a college scholarship? It's ridiculous and we all know it. But once again, the intent of the proposal has great merit. Who can argue with a plan that would encourage responsible behavior from high school students in return for a college scholarship.

But I have other problems. What about the struggling middle-class parents who make countless sacrifices to send their child to college? I recognize the need to work toward greater enrollment of low-income students in our state universities but is there no relief for the hard-working parents who cut corners to make that dream a reality? Where is the Democrats' plan to help those who are working hard to help themselves?

House Minority Leader Jeff Harris was kind enough last week to respond to an earlier editorial I had written. I appreciate his response. Rep. Harris is supporting this new scholarship plan and I'd be interested in hearing his thoughts on relief for the middle class taxpayers who face college expenses. In the meantime, the goal of the House Democrats has merit, worth and value. But at the same time, the struggling middle class in our state deserve ample consideration for their efforts to work productive lives. A tax break for this population is just as important as helping to lift a low income family out of poverty.