Some local lawmakers against University budget cuts

Some local lawmakers are standing up for the University of Missouri and are against cutting its budget, saying it’s unnecessary and petty.

While some Missouri lawmakers have threatened to cut back the University of Missouri’s budget, local representatives disagree and say it’s a bad decision.

ABC 17 News spoke with representatives Caleb Rowden and Chuck Bayse before Thursday night’s Town Hall meeting in Columbia. Both say the budget cuts would be bad for the local and state economies. They also say those funding cuts would ultimately hurt the students and staff at the University.

Representative Rowden said he thinks the current University leaders are doing a good job at explaining the state of Mizzou right now. He says that’s what they have to do moving forward.

Representative Bayse says they need to make some changes. “I think a step in the right direction would be the termination of Professor Click and Jenna Basler,” said Bayse. “I think it’s clear they should not be the face of that organization and as long as they’re there, they are going to be.”

On Wednesday , Representative Stephen Webber told ABC 17 News a budget cut would prevent families from providing their children with accessible education.