Strickland proposes college tuition help

The candidate wants the state to contribute to college savings accounts.
By DAVID SKOLNICK
VINDICATOR POLITICS WRITER
AUSTINTOWN -- A week after his strong victory in the Democratic gubernatorial primary, U.S. Rep. Ted Strickland hit the campaign trail touting key planks of his education reform proposal at Austintown Fitch High School.
Strickland, of Lisbon, told about 100 students and teachers Tuesday in the school's library that a strong education system is the best way to turn around and grow the state's economy.
The continued tuition increases at state colleges and universities are making it difficult for students to pay for a higher education, Strickland said. Without an educated work force, Ohio will continue struggling to attract businesses to come here, he said.
One proposal from Strickland's Turnaround Ohio plan discussed Tuesday is the creation of the Ohio Knowledge Bank.
For a $15 enrollment fee, a tuition savings account can be opened. When the account is created, the state would immediately contribute $500, and then $100 annually, or $200 a year for children in low-income homes, Strickland said.
Friends, families, businesses, churches and organizations also could contribute money to a child's account, Strickland said.
"It would encourage people to go to college," he added.
Total per child
If an account were opened for a child at age 3, he would have $2,000 toward college from the state when he turns 18, Strickland said.
The gubernatorial candidate acknowledges that isn't enough to pay for college, but it is one step and it would hopefully encourage a child's family, friends and others to contribute money to the fund.
"Ohio has neglected higher education funding for years," Strickland said. "If we continue to do what we're doing, Ohio will continue to be undereducated."
The program would cost about $344 million in its first year with $236 million coming from the state's general revenue fund and $108 million from the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families Fund. Strickland says the state could save close to $248 million from cost savings, particularly Medicaid.
"It's another gimmick by Ted Strickland to make himself appealing to voters," said John McClelland, Ohio Republican Party spokesman. "It's a gimmick using tax dollars."
There were a few skeptics among the Fitch students as well.
Responses from students
"I don't agree with his plan, and I don't believe in the whole socialist thing," said Nathan Hudzik, a Fitch senior planning to attend Youngstown State University in the fall majoring in physical therapy.
Nathan said he and his family aren't struggling to pay for his tuition, particularly with scholarship money available to him.
As for others who won't receive scholarship money, Nathan said, "You do what you have to do to pay for it. It shouldn't be the state's responsibility."
Sean Crisafi, a Fitch senior planning to attend Bowling Green State University in the fall majoring in political science, however, said the Ohio Knowledge Bank is a good idea.
"It will help students," he said. "It's a nice [financial] start for someone attending college."
The appearance at Fitch is the first of many planned visits to schools for Strickland to tout his education initiative.
He easily won last week's Democratic gubernatorial primary against ex-state Rep. Bryan Flannery of Strongsville. Strickland received 79 percent statewide and got 88.3 percent of the vote in Mahoning County and 82.3 percent in Trumbull County.
Strickland faces Secretary of State J. Kenneth Blackwell, the Republican primary winner, in the November general election.
Strickland campaigned Tuesday in Mahoning and Trumbull counties and plans to hold a rally Sunday in Mahoning County. The details of the rally are still being finalized. Strickland said he doesn't plan to take a break from campaigning for governor even though the election is six months from now.
skolnick@vindy.com