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Editorial distorts information

TO THE DAILY:

After reading the weak and deceptive editorial on the Michigan Tuition Tax Credit ("70% representation: MSA slights out-of-state students,"), I am convinced the Daily edit board consists of incendiary meatheads. Probably rich ones at that.

How much money does the University lose if the tax credit is reestablished? Less than 1/10 of 1 percent of its budget. A minimal amount that will clearly not impact the cost or quality of our education.

How much do students stand to save? Four percent of their tuition. Do out-of-state students really suffer? No. Unlike the University, the state considers anyone whose income tax address is within the state a resident and hence eligible for the tax credit. Whether you pay the University in-state tuition or not. Potentially every single student whose tuition payment originates in the state could recieve the tax credit.

The Daily would have a huge number of students suffer the weight of tuition without a tax credit to the benefit of, well, none but the administration. Additionally, the Daily missed the most truly exclusionary section of the bill -- a clause that excludes graduate students from the credit. One cannot, however, fight all battles simultaneously when so severely limited in resources.

The Daily's evaluation of the effects of Senate Bill 678 is immature and shows a distinct inability to closely analyze legislation. The Students' Party testimony on the bill was well researched and better prepared than any student testimony seen before the state Senate in years, by the admission of the senators themselves. Perhaps the Daily should take a lesson in preparing their editorials from those who prepared the testimony.

CONAN M. SMITH

RC SENIOR