FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Governor Moves to Weaken Scholarship Bill
JUNEAU- Governor Sean Parnell is calling on the House of Representatives to remove an amendment to his merit scholarship bill that would allow more students to qualify for the scholarships. This week the House Finance Committee passed an amendment by Representative Les Gara (D-Anchorage) to give the Alaska Department of Education the discretion to allow the merit scholarship for students who take required courses after graduation or to GED students who otherwise prove high academic achievement.
“Lack of money should never be a barrier to a college education. Students should be allowed to reach their full potential, and the governor’s opposition will ensure fewer students succeed and fewer students reach their full potential,” said Rep. Gara.
Without the amendment, the governor’s bill would exclude high-achieving students whose school districts do not have the courses needed to qualify for the scholarships. It would also exclude high-achieving students who attain a GED. The Governor has called on the House Majority to remove Rep. Gara’s fix to these major problems in the House Rules Committee today, before the bill goes before the full House of Representatives for a vote.
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Mark Gnadt
Press Secretary, House Democratic Caucus
W: (907) 465-3842; C: (907) 209-7006
http://www.akhouse.org
