will keep fighting to make sure cost is never a barrier to opportunity for St. Louisans.
Fight to make sure cost is never a barrier to higher education for St. Louisans.
Occurrences
Evidence
Under Education, Bell says every student deserves a world-class public education regardless of ZIP code or family income, and says students graduating high school should know about four-year colleges, community colleges, trade schools, and apprenticeship programs.
The House education issues page is sparse and says only: 'For more information concerning work and views related to Education, please contact our office.'
Bell announced $12,386,000 in Community Project Funding awards, including $1,031,000 for the University of Missouri-St. Louis to establish an API Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Hub and $1,031,000 for Harris-Stowe State University to modernize Urban Policing IT infrastructure, 'expanding educational access for students.'
Assessments
Bell promised to fight so cost would never be a barrier to higher education for St. Louisans. The available evidence does not show delivery of that broad outcome, such as direct tuition relief, scholarship expansion, student aid reform, debt relief, or a durable affordability program for St. Louis students. However, during the same term he announced federal Community Project Funding for local universities, including projects described as expanding educational access. Those funds are relevant to higher-education access but are institutional and infrastructure-focused, so they only partially satisfy the promise rather than eliminating cost barriers.