Rep. Mark Hargrove introduces bill that would put thousands in college

January 21, 2016

Getting more kids college degrees has become the driving goal of one Washington lawmaker.  Republican Mark Hargrove has introduced a bill that, if passed, would make college possible for thousands in Washington state.  At no additional cost to taxpayers.  Ruth Johnson reports from Olympia.

Johnson: There are 27-thousand kids eligible for The State Need Grant on a waiting list.  Hargrove aims to reduce that number significantly.  Under his bill, the State Need Grant would be restructured, freeing up funds to get kids off the list and into the classroom.

Hargrove: “It's a win win.  In short, we're going to have more kids graduating from college, with less debt.”

Johnson:  Under Hargrove's plan, the State Need Grant recipients would receive the amount necessary to cover two years of community or technical college classes.  Recipients could then use grant funds to finish their degree at a four year university.  If his bill passes, Hargrove estimates as many as 4-thousand kids will move from the waiting list to the classroom, the first year, alone; and, perhaps twice as many the next year.

And there would be no additional cost to add to the budget…and no new taxes.

The bill will receive a hearing on Jan. 27 in House Higher Education Committee.

Ruth Johnson, Olympia.