14 February 2008

Legislature 2008: PROMISE

Gov. Joe Manchin has raised the white flag over his proposal to change the PROMISE scholarship program, ending his push for legislation and replacing that effort with a study.

Manchin wanted to see PROMISE become at least a partial loan for scholars who didn't stay in the state to work after graduation. But the legislation "has sat idle in the House and Senate education committees since the session's opening days," The Associated Press reports, "having attracted mixed reviews at best from legislators and students alike."

The bill was met by questions over how the loan conversion would work, its fairness given the state's economy, and other policy implications.

AP caught up with Manchin just as he was explaining his decision to visiting high school students.

"I knew one thing: it would get you talking," it quoted him as saying. "The governor has the bully pulpit to make you talk about it."

The Charleston Gazette also has a story, as does MetroNews.

1 comment:

Scott said...

"The governor has the bully pulpit to make you talk about it."

I thought he was against bullies, too.