ColoradoASSETDiesonPartyLineVote Republican's Walk Away From $4 Million Annually for Higher Education
Denver, CO - Today, the House Finance committee dashed the hopes of hundreds of students across Colorado and walked away from $4 million a year for higher education by killing Colorado ASSET, Senate Bill 15.
Undocumented students will be graduating this May with very limited opportunities to pursue their hopes and dreams through higher education. Colorado ASSET would have allowed those students to pay the standard-rate tuition instead of the exorbitant out of state tuition rate.
"Not only will students benefit from Colorado ASSET but all of Colorado will benefit," opened former Mayor Bill Vidal who is now the President of the Colorado Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
"47% of Republicans voted at their State Assembly to support Colorado ASSET. Yes, you heard that right 47% of our most conservative members who attended our State Assembly voted to support Colorado ASSET. We must get on the right side of this issue, many of the members of our party already are," continued Ralph Nagel prominent Republican and businessman.
CCHE Republican Chairman Hereford Percy testified on behalf of CCHE who has supported Colorado ASSET for three years, "Senate Bill 15 is an exercise in fiscal sensibility for the institutions of higher education in our state. On behalf of the Colorado Commission on Higher Education I encourage you to pass this legislation and provide our institutions with additional funding to do their job."
Lastly, Chris Bray another prominent Republican businessman addressed the committee, "Why are you taking my tax dollars, investing them in these kids' K-12 education and then not finishing the job? I'm not sure why my party doesn't support this bill. Why can't my party get the job done?"
After this compelling testimony by three prominent Colorado Republicans the House Finance committee Republicans voted to kill Colorado ASSET on a party line vote.
"This is a great loss for Colorado and for so many bright minds. We are deeply disappointed that the Republicans on the House Finance committee couldn't see through politics to help our students and Colorado's institutions of higher education. ASSET was a win-win for everyone," statement by the Higher Education Access Alliance.
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