The boost in financial aid to college students was one of half a dozen domestic priorities Democrats set when they took control of Congress this year. Two others -- an increase in the minimum wage, and mandatory air and sea cargo inspections -- have become law, and a third, ethics reform, is awaiting Bush's signature.
- AP
As the news cycle is saturated with stuff about Sen. Craig, presidential politics, General P. b.s. and the latest white woman in trouble (celebrities included), Congress passed important student aid bill. [Slate notes that the LAT did make it front page news, while the NYT and WP did not.] Though the 292 to 97 House vote shows many did not stand up to be counted, the bill has strong bipartisan support, so much that the President will go back on his earlier veto threat.
[The article in the NYT speaks of an earlier version, so he might have some cover. The bit about the move to "auction off the right to offer federally backed educational loans to parents state by state, instead of setting the rate from Washington" does sound pretty conservative friendly, no?]
Such support might not be there if the bill was not firmly put out there. See also, the passage of the 9/11 Commission recommendations. Still, there were some not too surprising cries of "socialism" ... yes, education is a public responsibility, people. Then again, that socialist Jefferson supported it, so one sees their point. An interesting provision is forgiving of loans for those who join certain public sector professions, shades of the GI Bill, a law various Democrats specifically referenced. Thus:
The final bill, hammered out this week in a House-Senate conference committee, alters many of the ground rules for financing higher education, offering forgiveness on student loans to graduates who work for 10 years or more in public service professions like teaching, firefighting and the police, and limiting monthly payments on federally backed loans to 15 percent of the borrower’s discretionary income.
The law also reduces interest rates on student loans and helps minority colleges [is this constitutional any more?]. The LAT story starts by saying that Congress "approved the largest overhaul of education funding in more than 60 years." The article also cites various statistics on the growing rise of college tuition prices. A primary funding mechanism is removal of subsidies to student loan companies, which some fear will lead to reduction of incentives, but others note give to much (ahem) credit to the good will of private industry. This law would directly benefit the student and the auction provision suggests that there still will be adequate supply of loans.
Again, the end of a subsidy -- corporate welfare -- should be appreciated. The "socialism" of forgiving loans per going into the public sector (a matter that can be expanded ... the military is not the only means to serve one's community) is not that ... it is an incentive program that provides funds for services rendered. The public servant is paid by the public anyway. And, the public needs a well educated populace, as Brown v. Bd. of Ed. reminded us:
Today, education is perhaps the most important function of state and local governments. Compulsory school attendance laws and the great expenditures for education both demonstrate our recognition of the importance of education to our democratic society. It is required in the performance of our most basic public responsibilities, even service in the armed forces. It is the very foundation of good citizenship. Today it is a principal instrument in awakening the child to cultural values, in preparing him for later professional training, and in helping him to adjust normally to his environment. In these days, it is doubtful that any child may reasonably be expected to succeed in life if he is denied the opportunity of an education. Such an opportunity, where the state has undertaken to provide it, is a right which must be made available to all on equal terms.
We have a ways to go. As one activist cited in the LAT piece noted, this can be a step in the right direction. And, it doesn't even have an overly cute name. That too is appreciated.