LANSNG    (WKZO) --    The Senate Finance Committee took testimony yesterday on a proposal sponsored by democrats to create a college scholarship program, similar to the Kalamazoo Promise statewide. Several Parents and students testified about the difficulty of raising enough money for tuition, and the burden of taking out student loans.

Bob Jorth, Executive Administrator of the Kalamazoo Promise testified that it had greatly increased enrollment and the number of graduates going on to college, and also given the community’s economy a boost.

The committee did not vote on the “20-20 Plan” and Chair Jack Brandenburg questioned if the state could afford the program’s $1.8-billion dollar price tag.  No additional hearings have been scheduled.