Rupp: Keeping Education a Priority In Missouri

Beyond a doubt in my mind, education is the key to a successful future for Missouri. All parents, myself included, want to see their kids grow to be strong, independent thinkers, who will choose a rewarding career that will make them happy and allow them to raise their own families. To motivate young people to stay in school and pursue a higher education, I have introduced Senate Bill 265 in the Missouri Senate.

Under this measure, students who take math or science college credit courses or Advanced Placement (AP) courses while in high school and score well on their exams will receive a $500 bonus toward their Access Missouri or A+ scholarship. AP courses can get students college credit while costing thousands less than what it would cost at university level while at college.

Part of my inspiration in filing this bill was to help save mom and dad money on their child’s education. It’s no secret that higher education is expensive, and it’s unfortunate that some students have to say “no” to a higher education because they are unable to afford it. I don’t think any student who has hopes and dreams should have to make that hard decision. If passed, this bill could save a student and his or her family thousands of dollars. If you combine the possible funds from Access Missouri, A+ Schools, and the Advanced Placement Incentive Grant, a student’s tuition could be cut in half. This measure will not cost our state money, so I believe it is a win-win situation for all involved.

It is my pleasure to advocate higher education in our state, and I will always continue to do so for the benefit of Missourians. I strongly follow former President Ronald Regan’s view on education, “Education is a lifelong process that benefits individuals and entire communities and countries and helps lay the foundation of the future.”

As always, if you have any questions regarding this issue or any other matter within state government, please visit my website at www.senate.mo.gov/rupp. Here, you can also subscribe to my RSS feed on the main page of my website; it will keep you up to date on all my columns, press releases, and multimedia postings. Always feel free to e-mail me or call my office toll-free at (866) 271-2844.

Senator Rupp Sponsoring Resolution Regarding Upper Mississippi River Basin

JEFFERSON CITY — On Feb. 8, Sen. Scott T. Rupp, R-Wentzville, introduced Senate Concurrent Resolution 8, which if passed, would urge U.S. Congress to support a proposal for the Upper Mississippi River Basin that would provide flood control and prevention without causing unfavorable impacts on existing levees and communities.

“Most of us remember the Flood of ’93, which resulted in extensive damage for many Missouri communities,” Sen. Rupp said. “The Mississippi and Missouri rivers affect our state in various ways, especially when areas of Missouri receive heavy precipitation or runoff from heavy northern winter snows. We need to be prepared if a large flood were to happen again.”

Senate Concurrent Resolution 8 also asks the Missouri Congressional delegation to oppose Plan H for the Upper Mississippi Water Basin. Plan H would allow all but 20 of the 140 levees along the upper part of the Mississippi River to be raised to 500-year flood levels.

"Plan H will not improve the levees in Pike, Lincoln, or St. Charles county, leaving these areas susceptible to flooding,” Sen. Rupp said. “These counties all border the Mississippi River, the largest river in North America. It makes absolutely no sense that these counties wouldn’t be protected under Plan H.”

Senate Concurrent Resolution 8 has been assigned to the Senate Rules, Joint Rules, Resolutions and Ethics Committee, and will be heard in committee on Tuesday, February 22, 2011.

To learn more about Sen. Rupp’s legislation, visit his website at www.senate.mo.gov/rupp, and then click on the “Sponsored” and “Co-sponsored” bills link under the “Legislation” tab.