The state House did its job last week, passing three worthwhile PACT bills that, if made law, would bring a fair closure to this unfortunate situation. They call for the state to give $236 million from the education budget to help the program.
The main PACT bill, sponsored by Rep. Craig Ford, D-Gadsden, passed by a 104-0 vote — a strong show of support from the normally partisan state Legislature.
Now it’s the state Senate’s turn.
Problem is — and it’s a big problem — the Senate seems to be inclined to give a thumbs-down to the legislation and force the PACT saga to drag on into the spring.
If that happens, shame on the Senate.
This page’s stance hasn’t changed: The state has an undeniable moral obligation to help the 44,000 Alabama children whose families hold PACT contracts. It’s not those families’ fault that the economy tanked and PACT’s assets bottomed out.
They trusted that the state would do right with their money and their children’s college futures.
What’s more, the state’s colleges and universities — particularly the University of Alabama and Auburn University — should help the state form a palatable solution.
The best way — which is a key part of the bills passed by the House — is by placing equitable tuition caps on students with existing PACT contracts.
There’s no denying that higher education in Alabama faces a serious financial future because of declining state allocations. The universities have financial concerns that can’t be ignored.
As you’d expect, the universities are adamantly against tuition caps for existing PACT contract-holders. So, too, are state lawmakers who have colleges or universities in their districts.
There is no legal reason for higher ed in Alabama to help the state solve the PACT dilemma. The universities didn’t cause the root of this problem.
But the humanitarian reasons for them to assist with a solution are undeniable.
The senators who oppose the House version of the bill should
re-evaluate the merits of their argument. Without a cap on tuition that rises virtually every year, it’s hard to imagine any doable solution that would
enable the state to give PACT enough money to cover its losses.
The House has shown the state Legislature the path to take. It’s time the Senate follows the House’s lead.
