Over at his blog, State Representative Tim O’Brien weighs in on his proposal to eliminate tuition to Connecticut’s public colleges for students willing to remain in the state after graduation:

I introduced this legislation because I think that it is time that Connecticut start talking about the fact that high tuition and fees at our public institutions of higher education is a growing barrier to a college education for many people in our state, even if good financial aid is available for students.

Equally important is the fact that strong action is needed to make it easier and preferable for young people to stay in our state. That is why my proposal would only require students who stay in the state to contribute back to the state an amount based on their income, and only for a fixed length of time.

By limiting the repayment to a fixed length of time, this plan is better than merely a deferred payment. I imagine that the repayment installments must be quite low, because two years of tuition at Tunxis were less than $8000 as an in-state student (and I think that $8000 is actually higher than the actual cost). Divide that up over 120 months (10 years) and you’re only paying about $67 a month (assuming no interest). That’s if the plan requires it to be paid off in full after the 10 years — and my interpretation is that the plan intends to forgive a portion of the tuition altogether.

As it stands, HB 5261 doesn’t mention repayment or post-graduation residency requirements at all:

AN ACT CONCERNING THE ELIMINATION OF TUITION FOR IN-STATE STUDENTS AT PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened:

That sections 10a-77, 10a-99 and 10a-105 of the general statutes and part II of chapter 185 of the general statutes be amended to eliminate all tuition and fees for in-state students. It is further proposed that funding be increased to the board of trustees of the constituent units to offset the cost of eliminating in-state student tuition.

Statement of Purpose:

To eliminate all tuition and fees for in-state students at the regional community-technical colleges, Connecticut State University system and the University of Connecticut.

Keep your eyes on this one. It will be interesting to see who works hardest against a bill that would provide for greater access to higher education for Connecticut residents.