Perspective: Senators discuss MU turmoil, stop agriculture tax hike

Last Monday, the first of what will certainly be many lengthy discussions of recent events at the University of Missouri took place on the Senate floor. The Board of Curators still has not relieved the professor from her job, a fact that is absolutely mind-boggling to me. They did suspend her last week, with pay, but such actions seem far too little and far too late. Suspending her with pay means Missourians, and our tax dollars, continue paying her salary and benefits.

I was disappointed, though not terribly surprised, that several senators spoke in favor of the professor's continued employment. They contend that in the midst of a stressful situation, in which media coverage is said to have been aggressive, she simply overreacted. Further, since she has acknowledged her mistake and apologized internally for it, she should be allowed to keep her job.

This line of reasoning is absurd and is symptomatic of an all too pervasive belief that simply offering an apology negates consequences. In the real world, outside academia, where the majority of Missourians live and work, there are consequences for actions even after an apology. This professor may indeed be genuinely sorry for her actions, but she should still be fired for violating the trust and confidence of students and for the cloud she has cast over the university.

The ongoing soap opera at the MU is an embarrassment to every student, graduate, and the state of Missouri as a whole. There was a time, not long ago, when the university was known for its academic excellence in journalism, agriculture, engineering and law. Now, these are merely afterthoughts.

The state's flagship university flounders while the Board of Curators dithers about, mired in fear of offending the faculty or getting sued. More than anything, the University of Missouri is in desperate need of leadership. I am confident that this General Assembly will do what needs to be done to bring change and correction to MU so that we can once again focus on the tremendous asset the university system is for our state and our children.

This week the House and Senate finalized action to stop an untimely and costly tax increase on Missouri's number one industry: agriculture. At the end of 2015, the Missouri Tax Commission recommended a 5 percent increase in agriculture land assessments. With the passage of HCR58, the house and the Senate ensured these increased assessments will not go into effect.

The Tax Commission makes recommendations for tax adjustments on agriculture property every two years. In 2014 the Legislature accepted the increase, also of 5 percent, which went into effect in 2015. Unfortunately, the formula the commission uses does not take into account flooding or market volatility. With this year's flooding and depressed markets, now is not the time to raise taxes on Missouri farmers.

Taxes stifle growth and prevent investment, both of which are critical to agriculture. Any time the General Assembly can take reasonable steps to protect the state's number one industry, we should do so. It is my intent to protect the farmers, who are all small business owners, and the industry they represent which provides affordable and essential products critical for economic growth.

Tuesday, Room 321 received a visit from a very special young lady named Gracie Diggs. Gracie is a fifth-grade student at Tipton Elementary School. When she was 4 years old Gracie was diagnosed with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis (JRA). After her diagnosis, Gracie and her parents discovered the Arthritis Foundation in St. Louis as part of their research. They quickly began fundraising and helping with the Jingle Bell Run /Walk for Arthritis in Columbia. In her first year, Gracie raised $3,000 and knew she wanted to continue fundraising. She has certainly succeeded! In the last three years, Gracie has raised nearly $20,000 dollars for the Arthritis Foundation. As a result of her efforts, Gracie was named the 2015 National Youth Honoree for Jingle Bell Run/Walk. It was an honor to meet Gracie and it was inspiring to see her integrity and drive at such a young age. Thank you, Gracie, for all you are doing for the Arthritis Foundation. Keep up your hard work!

My purpose and my intent is to serve the constituents of the 6th Senatorial District. If you are in the State Capitol during the coming weeks and months, please stop by your office in Room 321.

State Sen. Mike Kehoe, R-Jefferson City, represents the 6th District.