Schools

Free College Tuition? Farmington Hills Lawmaker Explains New Proposal

State Rep. Vicki Barnett (D-Farmington Hills) tells Detroit News columnist Neal Rubin about a plan that she describes as an 'economic development tool'.

Would you vote for a percentage point increase in state sales tax to provide free tuition for every high school student in Michigan?

State Rep. Vicki Barnett (D-Farmington Hills) described her Michigan College Trust Program (MCTP) to Detroit News columnist and Farmington Hills resident Neal Rubin in a column published Thursday at detnews.com. Funds raised by increasing the tax from 6 percent to 7 percent would provide funds for high school graduates to attend a 2-year or 4-year Michigan school. 

Barnett called her program an "economic development tool" and said she hopes her colleagues in the legislature will recommend it for a state-wide ballot. If not, Barnett said, she'll launch a petition drive. 

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