October 22, 2008

YM Blog: Senate Candidate Launches Campus Tour

Posted by Sarah Burris at 12:00AM

• Comment Now
• Email
• Print
• Reprints
• Share

Jim Slattery, candidate for the U.S. Senate in Kansas, unveiled a new $5,000 college tuition tax cut last week.

I was honored to receive unvetted access to follow Slattery along on his tour talking with him as well as other students interested in his plan as well as other important issues this election. Slattery spent time answering questions in townhall style meetings as well as a special candidate forum hosted by the popular site 18 in 08.

The plan is similar to Sen. Barack Obama's proposal for a $4,000 tax credit for students and slightly similar to Sen. John McCain's plan to "simplify the existing benefits."

Minnesota Senate candidate Al Franken proposed the same credit as Slattery, but few other candidates are speaking to students or looking at issues that impact young people this election.

I've been pleasantly surprised by those few candidates who reach out to young people. As someone who graduated college with tons of debt, and wanted to work in civil service or civic engagement, I found it nearly impossible because I couldn't afford to do that and pay off my loans. Plans like these help need-based families and they also help foster dedication to service. I'm grateful to candidates who think about this within the context of students' needs.

Check out video of Senator Slattery: