Hatch Proposes Aid to Students

From the Winona Daily News:

The issue of rising tuition isn’t new, but gubernatorial candidate and Minnesota Attorney General Mike Hatch said he has a new plan. If elected, Hatch would allocate $300 million from a tax loophole to ease tuition pains for all Minnesota public college students. Hatch and his DFL running mate Judi Dutcher announced the plan Thursday at Winona State University.

After walking into a room in Kryzko Commons and shaking hands with nearly every student and audience member, Hatch and Dutcher said something needs to be done about the costs of tuition, which have doubled since 2002. “That’s not acceptable and it’s wrong,” he said. “You’re getting the burden, not the benefit.” Hatch said he would fund his proposal with a law that would close a tax loophole for foreign-owned businesses. Gov. Tim Pawlenty has said he would veto the law if passed by the Legislature.

Hatch criticized Pawlenty during his speech, saying college has become inaccessible and unaffordable, which wasn’t always the case. “In many ways (Pawlenty) has pulled up the ladder behind him,” Hatch said.

Skyrocketing tuition costs have become unbearable for many students and parents. Access to higher education is the cornerstone in advancing in the job market. In the past Minnesota has been a leader in providing its citizens the opportunity to attend a university or college. However under the leadership (or lack there of) of Tim Pawlenty, many Minnesotans are being priced out of college, hurting not only Minnesota families, but the state’s economy as well. Due to the federal government’s cuts in pell and other grants, Minnesota now more than ever needs to be a leader in providing access to higher education. Instead, in the last four years Tim Pawlenty has ignored students and Minnesota families. Fortunately on November 7th voters will be able to elect Mike Hatch and make Minnesota a leader once again.

-Justin