tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8277630499049750867.post-53728619900817857302009-03-17T13:17:00.000-07:002009-03-17T13:24:37.131-07:00A bill that would allow residents from outside of New Mexico to be able to pay in state tuition rates is on the governors desk. Yes, this would bring money from outisde of New Mexico, but how does it help veterans who want to go to school already living in New Mexico?<br />Why aren't our state lawmakers creating ways for New Mexicans (veterans or not) to be able to afford school in New Mexico?<br />I appreciate the effort to provide more benefits to veterans, but as a New Mexico resident veteran I find it hard to believe that my lawmakers would approve this bill before coming up with something that will help me and my fellow veterans already paying into the state.<br /><br />Heres a snippet from the press release:<br /><br />Santa Fe-On its way to the Governor's desk is Senator Bill Payne's bill<br />to� offer in-state tuition at New Mexico universities to honorably<br />discharged veterans, their spouses and children no matter where they<br />live at the same time. The bill sponsored by Senate Minority Whip<br />attracts Federal GI Bill dollars to New Mexico Universities and to the<br />state's economy. The bill passed the House unanimously minutes ago.� It<br />also passed the Senate unanimously.<br />It is estimated that $40 million could pour into the state if 1,000<br />veterans attend school here.� �<br />"This is a way of attracting students to come here who have money from<br />the Federal GI bill for tuition,� as well as for living expenses. It is<br />a boon for the state. It is a benefit.� Also, it thanks our veterans for<br />their service to our country," Senator Payne said.� Right now, at least<br />300 veterans would qualify for the program and that could be a $12<br />million gain for universities and for the economy.<br />"In addition to benefiting the honorably discharged veteran and his or<br />her family, this bill benefits the state of New Mexico and the<br />universities," (BUT NOT NEW MEXICO'S VETERANS) Senator Payne said. "The state would be able to attract veterans to come to New Mexico to study and hopefully make New Mexico<br />their home. The college educated veterans could help improve the state's<br />economic development efforts by attracting more businesses looking for a<br />better educated work-force."<div class="blogger-post-footer">For Mobile Users: http://m.wbx.me/iraq-war-vets<img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8277630499049750867-5372861990081785730?l=iraqwarvets.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Scottyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09913185920884911791noreply@blogger.com0