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From Capitol to CampusThe race for president of the United States is in full stride, and education is a central issue in the campaigns. So how do Vice President Al Gore —NEA's recommended candidate for the primaries—and Texas Governor George Bush measure up on higher education? Governor Bush, in March 1998, told the San Antonio Express-News, "Higher education is not my priority." In his campaign's only specific reference to higher ed, Bush's chief tax advisers told the Chronicle of Higher Education they would advise Bush to scrap the HOPE scholarship program if he is elected president. How has higher education fared in Texas under Governor Bush? In 1999, Texas ranked 48th in the nation in high school students who enroll and graduate from college. And, in 1997-98, the National Association of State Student Grant and Aid Programs reported that Texas ranked 37th in grant dollars for undergraduates per college-age resident. By contrast, vice president Gore cast the deciding vote in 1993 to create the Direct Student Loan Program. He led the Administration's successful effort in 1997 for the HOPE scholarship program, which gives students a $1,500 tax credit for the first two years of college. Gore has proposed a "national tuition savings program" to allow families to invest money in tax-free accounts that can be used in any participating state. His "401(J) savings accounts" would let students save money for college tax-free. Gore also has proposed expanding a current tax break for employers to provide educational benefits to their employees tax-free for undergraduate or graduate courses. To subscribe to the NEA E-mail Legislative Alert, send to lyris@list.nea.org this message: Subscribe hecongress. Or read the Alert on this web site. Share your legislative news with us. |
