PA Future Caucus Proposes New Higher Education Bill
July 13, 2016
Pennsylvania Future Caucus Co-Chairs Reps. Nick Miccarelli (R – 162) and Kevin Boyle (D – 172) have circulated a co-sponsorship memo for a bill seeking to intervene on skyrocketing tuition costs. The bill provides for a tuition freeze at 14 state universities across Pennsylvania
In Pennsylvania, the average level of debt for graduating university students has risen nearly 170% since 2004. Recently, Pennsylvania Future Caucus Co-Chairs Reps. Nick Miccarelli (R – 162) and Kevin Boyle (D – 172) have circulated a co-sponsorship memo for a bill seeking to intervene on rising tuition costs. The bill would propose a tuition freeze at 14 state universities across Pennsylvania, including:
- Bloomsburg University
- Cheyney University of Pennsylvania
- East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania
- Indiana University of Pennsylvania
- Lock Haven University
- Millersville University
- Slippery Rock University
- California University of Pennsylvania
- Clarion University
- Edinboro University of Pennsylvania
- Kutztown University
- Mansfield University of Pennsylvania
- Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania
- West Chester University
The freeze would lock tuition levels in place for five years, and would importantly cap tuition increases at two percent annually.
As the globalized economy increasingly demands cutting-edge skills from its workers, it is clear that the pursuit of higher education is still very much important. “If we want to keep our State economically competitive,” noted Rep. Boyle, “we must ensure that our workforce is well-trained and highly-skilled. Our public higher education system was designed to make sure our middle class families are not priced out of those opportunities and this legislation will help meet that goal.”
“Our public universities serve as an opportunity for students to gain the skills necessary to compete in a very competitive economy and job market,” added Rep. Miccarelli. “Our goal is to ensure that there is an affordable option for all individuals that are interested in pursuing a degree.”
The goal of the Pennsylvania Future Caucus is to foster a nonpartisan community of young state-elected officials that models post-partisan leadership on future-oriented issues facing America’s next generation. To learn more about the Pennsylvania Future Caucus, click here.
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