U.S. Congresswoman visits mid-Missouri students

A U.S. Congresswoman visited students in mid-Missouri on Thursday.

Representative Vicky Hartlzer, who represents the Show-Me State’s fourth congressional district, spoke with second-graders at Blue Ridge Elementary in Columbia.

She also visited eighth-graders at Lange Middle School in Columbia.

Rep. Hartlzer talked with students Thursday afternoon about getting involved in their communities and promoting good citizenship.

The representative is also working on several educational measures including the School Affordability Act.

The measure would reverse a previous decision that set regulations for schools on meals and pricing.

Hartlzer said, “A few years a go, a bill was passed with good intentions to help increase the amount of nutritious foods that the students eat, but unfortunately the way it’s been dictated and comes down to local schools.”

The new bill would give that power back to school districts.

“It’s actually caused a lot of kids to quit taking school lunches or to throw things away in the trash can and not eat them. So I think we need to allow our local schools to determine what is served to our kids, because they know best,” said Hartzler.

Earlier this week the U.S. Senate passed the measure.

Hartzler now says she is working with lawmakers in the House to come up with their own version.