Your Opinion: Eager to vote on amendment

Dear Editor:

Missouri faces a crisis in our education system, and it starts at the very beginning of our kids's lives. Our state lags behind our neighbors and the nation when it comes to providing early childhood education for our young people. In fact, in 2014 only 3 percent of Missouri 4-year-olds were enrolled in public-supported Pre-K. Compare that to 60 percent in Iowa and 76 percent in Oklahoma, and it's obvious just how far we've fallen behind.

Study after study has proven the overwhelming benefits of early childhood education, and it doesn't stop with the students. In fact, it only starts there. Early childhood education leads to a reduction in crime, economic growth and opportunity, and real long-term savings for taxpayers who no longer have to pay the very real costs associated with a less-educated and less-prepared workforce and the societal problems that come with that.

For this reason, more than 330,000 Missourians signed petitions to get the Early Childhood Health and Education Amendment on the ballot this November. This amendment will slightly increase Missouri's by far lowest in the nation cigarette tax, producing $300 million for early childhood education. And because it's an amendment, the money goes right to our schools and students, and politicians can't divert it elsewhere. It's locked up tight.

It's a long overdue move to catch Missouri up to the nation and grow our economy. Unfortunately, cheap cigarette companies, seeking to maintain an artificial advantage in the marketplace, are now filing frivolous lawsuits and stall tactics to attempt to silence the 330,000 signers of these petitions, and get the amendment thrown off the ballot.

It won't work. Missouri finally has an opportunity to expand early childhood education and strengthen our state. Our voices will not be silenced. I look forward to voting yes for our kids this November.

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