Letters and comments for June 7, 2011

Support Tuition Equity

To the Editor:

SB 742, otherwise known as Tuition Equity, is an essential bill that advances Oregon’s youth and our economy. It is a bipartisan bill sponsored by Reps. Bob Jenson, R-Pendleton, and Michael Dembrow, D-Portland, as well as Sens. David Nelson, R-Pendleton, and Frank Morse, R-Albany. The bill, which easily passed the Senate with an 18-11 vote, is now in the house.

Tuition Equity allows all children who grew up in Oregon, whose parents are undocumented, the ability to pay in-state tuition at our public universities given that they have attended an Oregon high school for three years, graduated, been accepted to a public university and are working toward citizenship.

This bill advances Oregon’s workforce and makes it possible for Oregonians graduating from high school to pursue a college degree. In a time when we need to increase Oregon’s competitiveness and appeal to businesses, Tuition Equity ensures that more Oregon students are able go to college.

This means helping increase university revenue and Oregon’s tax base. Thirteen other states have passed this bill. States like Utah saw a $1.5 million bump in revenue with a bill like SB 742. This bill has been supported by Oregon’s business community, all of Oregon’s university presidents, and teachers and social workers. The list goes on and on.

I urge Rep. Greg Smith, R-Heppner, to support SB 742, Tuition Equity, and help get Oregon’s economy back on track.

Casey Dreher

La Grande