Received this e-mail today from Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz's (D. PA-13) gubernatorial campaign today:
Last summer, I interned for Allyson Schwartz's campaign. It was an amazing experience working for a wonderful public servant. That is why I wanted to take a moment and write you today. As a college student, I know first-hand how difficult it is to afford a college education in Pennsylvania.
This is truer today than ever, especially if one or both of your parents don't have job security. Unfortunately, this happened to my family when my dad was laid off last year after working for the Pittsburgh Public Schools for 10 years.
That is why I wanted to send you this note, and ask you to sign Allyson's petition demanding that Governor Corbett make higher education more affordable for families like mine. Can you click here and add your name?
http://action.allysonschwartz.com/...
Last year, while my dad was seeking work, I racked up thousands of dollars in student loan debt even after receiving scholarships -- debt that I'll have to figure out how to pay back after I graduate.
Sadly, even for in-state students, Pitt is among the most expensive state supported universities in the country, and Penn State is close behind. Tom Corbett has relentlessly cut funding for higher education, and as a result, Pennsylvania schools have had to keep raising tuition, making going to college nearly impossible for too many families.
Click here and sign this petition to tell Tom Corbett his higher education policies are failing students and their families.
http://action.allysonschwartz.com/...
I know Allyson has the right ideas to get us back on track.
Thanks,
Elena
You can click here to add your name:
http://action.allysonschwartz.com/...
FYI, here's Schwartz's plan for college tuition:
http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/...
Democratic U.S. Rep. Allyson Schwartz — running to replace Republican Gov. Tom Corbett — says students who get a two-year Associates Degree at community colleges should get free tuition for the remaining two years to get a Bachelor’s degree at one of Pennsylvania’s 14 state universities like California University, Indiana University, Slippery Rock or Clarion.
“Sometimes it’s just a couple thousand dollars more that can make the difference between the decision — I can make it, I can do this — and what we’re going to say to those students is — you want to go on, we’re going to help you with those final dollars,” Schwartz told KDKA political editor Jon Delano on Monday.
Under Schwartz’s plan, students — after two years of community college — who’d prefer to go to Pitt, Penn State or some private college in the state could also get the equivalent in tuition to offset the cost at those institutions.
“Tom Corbett proposed, recommended a 50 percent cut to higher education. The state senate, the state legislature held him to 20 percent,” she added.
She’d reverse that, saying in exchange for more state dollars, she’d insist on a two-year tuition freeze at state universities.
And to pay for all this, the Philadelphia Democrat wants a 5 percent severance tax on Marcellus shale gas. - CBS Pittsburgh, 11/18/13
I am still working on a much bigger PA-Gov diary about Corbett and the Democratic Primary. I will hopefully have it ready by the end of the month. In the mena time, if you want to learn more about Schwartz's campaign, you can do so here:
http://allysonschwartz.com/