Free-tuition proposal advances in Texas Legislature
April 8, 2009
The amendment, offered by Rep. Marc Veasey, D-Fort Worth, was attached to a broader military tuition bill despite arguments from opponents that it would overburden financially struggling community colleges.
Written by Dave Montgomery, The Fort Worth Star-Telegram
AUSTIN — The House approved an amendment to a bill Tuesday that would give free tuition to children of military personnel when one or both of their parents are deployed in combat overseas.
The amendment, offered by Rep. Marc Veasey, D-Fort Worth, was attached to a broader military tuition bill despite arguments from opponents that it would overburden financially struggling community colleges.
The vote was 125-20. The measure, added to Senate Bill 297 by Sen. Leticia Van de Putte, D-San Antonio, would exempt children of military personnel from tuition at state-supported colleges during semesters when one or both parents are overseas in a foreign combat zone.
Veasey said the amendment would benefit about 1,000 students and have a minimal impact on the state budget. The measure would be aimed primarily at older active and reserve personnel with college-age children because, Veasey said, most combatants are younger men and women without college-age children.
"Many of these soldiers have been deployed in Iraq or Afghanistan for years at a stretch, and the personal and economic costs to their families can be severe," he said. "This tuition exemption is a small way that we as a state can give back to these families who have given so much."
But Rep. Jimmie Don Aycock, R-Killeen, who district includes the Fort Hood area, countered that the amendment would result in free tuition for "hundreds and hundreds" of students.
"Believe me, this will break our community college," he said.
After voting against the amendment, Rep. Warren Chisum, R-Pampa, said, "The thought’s great. We have to do whatever we can for veterans." But, he said, "Our junior colleges are in terrible shape right now. They just can’t take a hit."
Veasey said he did not know how many families in North Texas would benefit from the bill. "I’m sure there are some families in Tarrant County who would be able to take advantage of it," he said.
The bill still has to be called up for a final vote on third reading. It passed the Senate without the House amendments last month, and the Senate would have to sign off on the changes before the bill would go to Gov. Rick Perry for his consideration.
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