Democratic State Rep. Challenger Says Soaring Rates Are a ‘Middle-Class Tax Hike’
(EDINBURG) — Democrat Eddie Saenz, running to set a new direction in the Texas House of Representatives, today called for capping college tuition rates, saying that the cost of a higher education has skyrocketed more than 100 percent at the state’s flagship university since Austin politicians pushed through a controversial tuition deregulation bill four years ago.
“Funding higher education should be a top priority, and the politicians who voted for shifting control over tuition rates from themselves to anonymous higher education officials should be held accountable,” Saenz said. “That vote was nothing less than a middle-class tax hike.”
Saenz said the first step toward a solution is to place an immediate cap on college tuition increases to limit any further damage to working families. He said a proposal by State Senator Juan ‘Chuy’ Hinojosa to impose a three-year moratorium is a good starting point. The Texas Legislature should then reverse the 2003 deregulation measure, he said.
“My opponent’s political friends in Austin lack the courage to make sure our colleges have the state resources they need to continue providing a quality education,” Saenz said.
“Instead, they have put the squeeze on working families, put universities in the unfair position of having to fund their operations on the backs of students, and put Texas at a competitive disadvantage with other states and countries that are investing in the next generation while we shortchange ours.”
Saenz said if a proposed eight-percent tuition increase this week by the University of Texas at Austin is approved, tuition and fees at his alma mater will have risen 111 percent since deregulation.
Tuition and fees have soared at other public colleges and universities, too — 38 percent at the University of Texas-Pan American, 59 percent at the University of Texas-Brownsville, 50 percent at the University of Texas-San Antonio, and 28 percent at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.
Saenz earned his degree in civil engineering from the University of Texas at Austin in 1982. He is a member of the National Society of Professional Engineers, the American Society of Civil Engineers, and the Texas Society of Professional Engineers.
As owner and chief executive officer of one of South Texas’ leading civil engineering firms, he is a recognized expert in helping cities, school districts, and other public entities improve their operations and basic services.
Giuliani coming to the Valley on Monday
McALLEN, November 15 - Republican presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani will be in the Rio Grande Valley on Monday for a fundraiser and a news conference, a top local GOP leader tells the Guardian.
Hidalgo County Republican Party Chairman Hollis Rutledge said the Giuliani presidential campaign is organizing the private lunchtime fundraiser, which will be held at the McAllen Country Club.
Aaron Pena will give a speech on how it is to be a great Republican.
