Obama touts tax credit to ease collegians' pain

[babylonsister]

Obama touts tax credit to ease collegians' pain

BY KATHLEEN GRAY and LORI HIGGINS • FREE PRESS STAFF WRITERS • June 18, 2008


For the second straight day in Michigan, presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama went to a college and met with students struggling to pay for their educations.

At the Wayne County Community College campus in Taylor, he met with 29 students to hear their stories and tout his plan to make college more affordable.

Roy Gaines of Inkster wants to complete a degree in computer science. But old credit problems are hampering the 32-year-old father's ability to pay for the classes he needs.

Marilyn Pace, 23, of Taylor will graduate with an associate's degree in dental hygiene in five weeks. But the high price of gas, coupled with a maxed-out loan account, is leaving her $1,500 short of the cash she needs to take certification tests later this summer.

And Demetrius Jenkins, 19, of Inkster wants to transfer to Eastern Michigan University next year to pursue a premed degree. But the $16,000 annual cost of tuition, room and board is daunting. He didn't have the money to buy books in much of his first year at Wayne County Community College.

Obama said he hopes to offer a $4,000 annual tax credit for low-income students or their parents in return for community service. He would pay for the tax credits by raising taxes for people who make more than $250,000.

"It just isn't right when you're working so hard and struggling so much just to pay your tuition," Obama told Pace, who is helping care for her disabled father. "I do not accept an America where you can't achieve your potential because you can't afford it."

The campus visit capped a two-day trip to Michigan for Obama, who talked about many of the same issues Monday at Kettering University in Flint.

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http://freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080618/NEWS15/806180380

[babylonsister]

1. These little talks to students are going to win this election, my friends.

Obama's shoring up his base, and I believe he'll do what he says (a politician?!). That is remarkable.

From the article:

Obama said he hopes to offer a $4,000 annual tax credit for low-income students or their parents in return for community service. He would pay for the tax credits by raising taxes for people who make more than $250,000.

"It just isn't right when you're working so hard and struggling so much just to pay your tuition," Obama told Pace, who is helping care for her disabled father. "I do not accept an America where you can't achieve your potential because you can't afford it."