Florida Prepaid Founder is Raising Hell at 81
March 23rd, 2009 by flanewsThe founder of Florida’s Prepaid Tuition Fund is asking students to “Raise Hell,” over a proposed tuition hike.
81-year old Stanley Tate is running full page ads in newspapers across the state. The ads are titled “Raise Hell, Not Tuitions”. Tate says a legislative proposal to allow state colleges to raise tuition 15 percent a year will make prepaid tuition plans too expensive. Tate said once families hear his side of the story, he believes they will stand up against the legislature.
“I think that the people of the state of Florida who I am trying to represent are primarily low and the low moderate income people. I think when they recognize the fact that they won’t be able to afford a college education, they’re voices will be heard and I think the elected people will hopefully listen to those voices,” said Tate.
State Senator Frederica Wilson is applauding Tate’s efforts
“Good for him. He needs to stand up. And we need to stand up right along side of him because all of us have prepaid scholarships for our children and grandchildren and its time now for the state to raise revenue in other ways other than trying to raise it on the backs of children and especially our future. It’s ridiculous,” said Wilson.
Florida has some of the lowest tuition costs in the nation. Supporters of the bill say allowing schools to raise rates 15 percent a year will bring Florida’s tuition near the national average by 2012.
Posted in Education, State Budget, State News | No Comments »