Tax breaks stay, education pays

I have watched with dismay the state budget proposals as legislators struggle to come to terms with the economic situation. I read the report on page A1 of Thursday’s Herald, learning that legislators will not even bring to a vote the proposed ending of tax breaks for corporations, (“Legislators look at back tax breaks“), but easily passed a proposal to charge tuition for Running Start students. (Thursday, “Running Start students may have to pay tuition“).

This small article was hidden on page B4, outlining a major hit to this program which allows high school students to take classes at a community college for free. The popularity of this program tells me that high school students do not have the opportunity to take the classes they need in their own schools.

College and university professors continually state that incoming students are unprepared for college level courses. Running Start provides students the experience and knowledge to succeed. Charging tuition to these students will diminish their ability to participate. Low-income students could apply for assistance, but what about those in the middle who may not have the financial means to take these classes? Once again education takes a blow, and students face another barrier to education.

Patricia Tiede
Everett