FRANKFORT - Last week, House leaders introduced legislation that I think holds the
potential to be one of the most significant laws the General Assembly has passed in
recent years.
House Bill 626 would do that by tackling a problem affecting millions of
families across the country: the increasingly higher cost of college.
For proof, consider that student loan debt has far out-paced what we owe
on our credit cards.
In short, this bill would give our current high school seniors - and
every class that follows them - a chance to obtain a two-year college
degree without owing any tuition. This has the potential to be a game
changer for many families while significantly increasing the size of our
college-educated workforce. It also should boost the numbers of those
going on to pursue a four-year diploma.
Earning what the bill calls the "Work Ready Kentucky Scholarship" is
straight-forward. It would potentially apply to anyone graduating from
high school who attends a Kentucky Community and Technical College
(KCTCS) school the following fall and takes at least 12 college credit
hours. This would also apply to those obtaining their GED before
turning 19.
The incoming college students have to qualify for in-state tuition, and the size of
the scholarship would depend on how much tuition they owe after taking into account
state and federal aid like Pell Grants and KEES, the lottery-based scholarship high
school students earn with good grades. Student loans and work-study programs would
not count against them.
Students would be required to fill out a federal financial aid form, and the tuition
money they receive could not be used for such other college-related expenses as food
or lodging.
The money would be available as long as the student maintains a 2.0 GPA or better.
The scholarship would end within six semesters of eligibility, when they obtain an
associate's degree or when they have been out of high school for four or more years.
KCTCS officials believe that, based on a similar program in Tennessee, a little more
than 3,200 students would qualify this fall if this bill becomes law. The first two
years' combined cost to the state is estimated at $33 million.
House leaders, who are finalizing the chamber's budget, say this is something the
state can afford while not undercutting an increased commitment to Kentucky's
growing public pension problems. In fact, Governor Bevin's proposed budget would
have hundreds of millions of dollars sitting idle, and while some of that is prudent
in case of emergencies, the House believes that most tax dollars should go toward
helping Kentuckians.
While the scholarship program and the budget were the biggest topics of discussion
in the House last week, we also moved forward two noteworthy bills.
The first of those, House Bill 137, would require those convicted of attempted
murder of a police officer or firefighter to serve at least 85 percent of their
sentence before being eligible for probation or parole. Currently, they are
eligible after serving just 20 percent, a bar that is much too low for that type of
crime.
We also approved House Bill 210, which would increase the penalties for those who
attack local health department employees. This would add this group to about 10
others already covered under this provision, including law enforcement, social
workers and teachers.
After this week, only two full ones will remain in the legislative session, and that
critical time will be when the House and Senate decide which measures they can
support and which will not become law.
Under the current calendar, legislators are scheduled to leave for a veto recess
toward the end of this month and return for two days in mid-April to consider any
vetoes that the governor may issue.
It's a lot to do in a relatively short amount of time, and your contributions are
vital to the process. I hope you will continue letting me know what you think
should pass this year. If you would like to take part, you can write to me at Room
351A, Capitol Annex, 702 Capitol Avenue, Frankfort, KY 40601; or you can email me at
Will.Coursey@lrc.ky.gov<mailto:Will.Coursey@lrc.ky.gov>.
To leave a message for me or for any legislator by phone, please call
800-372-7181. For those with a hearing impairment, the number is
800-896-0305.
I hope to hear from you soon.
