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September 28, 2006
Governor Announces College Affordability Plan -CAP Tuition for MT Students -Schweitzer's Square Deal with Montanans
(HELENA)-Governor Brian Schweitzer today announced his intention to hold the line on tuition for Montanan's university system in the 2007 session. "It's part of my square deal with Montanans," said Governor Schweitzer. "Our Montana kids should have the opportunity to go to college - affordability is a barrier that we have to address."
The Governor's proposal:
The College Affordability Plan: The Governor's plan would give the Montana University System the money needed to hold tuition at current levels for the biennium. The cost of this tuition proposal is approximately $50 million for the biennium. This would be the first time since 1991 tuition didn't increase.
"Montana's families have been priced out of an education. Our most talented should have the opportunity to attend college in Montana and be the engines that drive our state's future economic growth," Schweitzer said. Governor Schweitzer’s parents didn't graduate from high school, but sent all 6 of their children to college. "My own parents knew how important it was to dream and provide their children with the possibility of college. Education is for life."
In addition to the "CAP Tuition" proposal Governor Schweitzer last session started the Best and Brightest Scholarship program. When fully funded the Governor’s Postsecondary Scholarship Program will provide 970 new scholarships to Montanans.
The Governor has already announced his square deal proposals for:
* Rebating Montana homeowners $100 million of one time money or $400 per homeowner
* Suspending the water tax (HB22)
* And acquiring more state parks and fishing access sites across the state.
The Schweitzer administration has not raised taxes and does not support raising taxes. Governor Schweitzer advanced legislation that eliminated the business equipment tax for 13,000 small businesses. Recently Montana was ranked number 9 in best tax code for business and 12th best in state and local tax burden by The Tax Foundation.
Supporting Documents. Note: The following documents can be found on the Governor's website
* State Funding Per University Student (Powerpoint, 43K)
* Historical and Future Resident Tuition Rates (PDF, 23K)
Posted by admin at September 28, 2006 10:16 PM