October 13, 2009
Birch Run/Bridgeport Herald
Craig Nelson, Editor
Dear Editor,
I learned a long time ago and from a very thoughtful man, Bishop Kenneth Untner, that with every criticism, no matter how harsh, comes at least a small grain of truth. In a recent letter to the editor, a college student was critical of a vote I recently made to balance the state budget. It was the Higher Education Bill, and it included a cut to the Promise Scholarship Program put in place in 2006.
I carefully read the student's description of her family and their struggle to pay college tuition as the bills come in, fast and furious. I empathize, as I have two kids in college today. I know that sitting around the kitchen table trying to balance the checkbook with shrinking dollars is becoming more and more frustrating. Keep in mind that as Michigan families are hunkering down in this bad economy, they fully expect their government to do the same.
The student is rightfully concerned over the cuts to scholarships, though it is fair to say that the fight to restore the grants is not over. Citizen Legislators, like myself, on both sides of the aisle are very sensitive to the needs of our working families as they struggle to pay all their bills in these harsh economic times. The student properly describes the hardship of a $500 bill from her school, but I can't imagine that a new $500 tax bill, of any kind, in 2009 is any easier for families to manage.
As Michigan struggles to reconcile a $2.8 billion debt, legislators are still working restore the Promise Scholarship. In an effort to create a safety net for students, I introduced a bill that would exchange grants for direct tax credits. The theory being simple; if we owe you Promise Scholarship money, you owe us nothing. It is simply a "Plan B" as Lansing hashes out its problems, but comes with the added benefit of keeping our highly educated graduates in the State of Michigan.
Michigan also made a promise to keep our streets safe for everyone, educate our children from kindergarten to 12th grade, and to maintain proper infrastructure to get folks back and forth to work safely. My primary objective is to ensure that these things happen while keeping government fingers out of the wallets and checkbooks of hard-working families in my district.
Unlike 2007, this budget cycle was to be about re-establishing priorities in government spending. For instance, my welfare reform bill would limit welfare to four years. With that savings, Michigan towns and cities could hire 500 community police officers. Freezing the Earned Income Tax Credit at current levels could pay for the Promise Scholarship. These shouldn't be tough decisions.
College students should have learned quickly that there's "more than one way to skin a cat". Don't turn your back on your own future. Join me in asking that HB 5376 (The Promise Scholarship Protection Bill) get a fair hearing in committee. Call your local legislators and the governor's office to tell them you support this plan.
HB 5376 will keep the Promise, keep our kids in Michigan, and keep the taxman out of your pockets.
Sincerely,
Kenneth B. Horn
State Representative
94th District
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