SPRINGFIELD – Today, State Senator Napoleon Harris (D-Harvey) voted for legislation that would fund much needed social service programs and higher education. Senate Bill 2059 provides funding for programs and services that are not currently receiving funding from court orders or consent decrees.

“We’ve left a lot of people in need without support and threatened the education of our young people for far too long,” Harris said. “I was sent to Springfield to help improve our communities. We need to stop the partisan politics and pass a budget to keep our communities from deteriorating.”

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SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Napoleon Harris III (D-Harvey) introduced legislation that protects college students’ freedom of speech and would prohibit colleges from revoking athletic and academic scholarships as a result of protesting.

Senate Bill 2279 came about after Republican lawmakers in Missouri filed legislation intended to punish African American football players who demanded the resignation of the head of the university after inaction against racism on campus.

“My athletic scholarship is the reason I was able to get a degree,” said Harris, a former Northwestern University football player. “Putting students in a situation where they have to choose between justice and a scholarship they earned is simply unacceptable.”

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