verified
Melody Lawson
Jefferson City
Dear Editor
Sherri Talbott is pursuing a petition for a Missouri constitutional amendment purportedly to "preserve' state tax revenue for public schools." "Preserve" implies the status quo will remain, but there seems to be a hidden agenda, a direct target on the Missouri state-run, MOST-529 program.
MOST-529 saves contributors a very small amount of Missouri state taxes, approximately $4-$6 for each $100 (with low limits) irretrievably put in an educational saving plan. Contributions can be made by parents, grandparents, godparents, etc, much like U.S. Savings Bonds were a traditional gift in the '50s.
Nearly all states have adopted the 529 savings account for educational costs. Like Missouri, many states also allow 529 funds to be spent on specific expenses for k-12 education: parochial tuition, homeschoolers for books, supplies, online tuition, and for some expenses for public school children.
Not many remember, but decades ago there was a protest over a proposed tax change. To demonstrate just how much our parochial schools reduce the burden on the public schools, parochial parents en-masse enrolled their children in public schools, which they have every right to do.
Children were sitting two to a desk, some on the floor, 50 in a class. There were drastic shortages of textbooks. Even restrooms were not sufficient for all the students. It was a nightmare too soon forgotten, demonstrating how our public schools reap benefits from parochial schools.
MOST-529 allows grandparents a small tax savings for funding a grandchild's education which low-income parents cannot afford, thus enabling low-income parents to send their child to the school of their choosing.
If 529 funds are saved only for college, they will reduce scholarships, grants and loans. Saving the 529 money for college and paying for k-12 at the same time depleted the parents' finances, all the while still being required to fund the public schools, through both state income tax and steep property taxes. It is wiser to use 529 money for k-12 expenses.
It appears Talbott's proposed constitutional amendment is an ambush on the MOST 529 program by stopping its use for k-12 educational expenses. In an ex-post-facto manner she could even jeopardize parents' plans for the use of funds already contributed.