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Assembly supports tax credit

The Michigan Student Assembly has taken a stance for, against and now once again in favor of the tuition tax credit. After a defeat last week led by President Flint Wainess, the assembly reconsidered and passed a resolution supporting the bill at last night's meeting.

External Relations Chair Andy Schor and LSA Rep. Olga Savic testified at a state Senate hearing last month in favor of the bill.

Currently being considered in the Michigan Legislature, the tuition tax credit would give state university students a "credit" of10 percent of their tuition. The maximum credit is capped at $250 a year.

"It will help a lot of students on this campus who may not appear to be needy but could use a little extra help," said Savic, the Students' Party MSA vice presidential candidate. The credit is especially important for students who don't qualify for financial aid but could still use the extra $200-250, she said.

The bill would replace the state's current tax credit procedure, which gives tax breaks to universities that hold tuition increases to the rate of inflation for a given year.

Wainess called the bill "an upwards redistribution of wealth."

"When you're taxing a family making $30,000 to give money to a family making $400,000, that's an upwards redistribution of wealth," said Wainess, who passed the gavel to MSA Vice President Sam Goodstein in order to speak on the issue.

Although Goodstein did not speak for or against the resolution during the debate, he later said the issue involves more than a theory of redistribution.

"As a student I support what's in the best interest of students, especially those at the U-M," Goodstein said. "This proposal's probably in the best interest of students."

With little more than a week left before student elections, the assembly's vote last night was one of the least partisan of the year. There was no significant party line, as Students' and Wolverine party candidates fought together and Michigan Party MSA vice presidential candidate Probir Mehta and LSA-Student Government presidential candidate Paul Scublinsky voted against Wainess, a fellow Michigan Party member. Savic also noted that both in-state and out-of-state students supported the resolution.

Schor said the resolution will be distributed among state representatives and senators in Lansing and will be discussed during next Wednesday's Student Lobby Day, organized by state Sen. Alma Wheeler Smith (D-Salem Twp.).

"One of the 'nothing resolutions' that MSA passes is going to have some serious effect," Schor said.