Paul Promotes Affordable Education at UT Law School

FOR RELEASE: April 27, 2000

Surfside, TX - On Thursday, Congressman Ron Paul continues to push forward with his agenda of education-related tax relief in a speech to students at the University of Texas law school. Paul said the "Make College Affordable Act" (HR 2750) will allow working families and students to deduct college expenses from their income taxes every year.

"One of my top goals this Congress is to reduce the tax burden on parents who are trying to send their children to college, as well as students who are trying to put themselves through school," Paul said. "Everyone should have the opportunity to go to college, but unless we act soon, that will not be a reality for many in my district and in many other communities around the country. The ‘Make College Affordable Act’ will reduce the burden of higher-education costs that continue to go up at an alarming rate."

Rep. Harold Ford, Jr. of Tennessee, originally sponsored the "Make College Affordable Act". Paul is the lead Republican cosponsor of the bill. Once passed, it will amend the Internal Revenue Code to allow families to deduct up to $20,000 in higher-education expenses every year.

Paul said, "The ‘Make College Affordable Act’ is the way to correct a tax system that punishes people for being thrifty and planning for future educational costs. Many working families plan and save well in advance of their children attending college. But when increased taxation erodes these families' savings, many are forced to go into debt to pay for a child's education, or the child simply does not go to college at all. It is a crime to have a tax system that forces people to choose between educating their children and paying their government."

"I am working to give control of the education dollar back to parents and hardworking students," said Paul. "Legislation like the ‘Make College Affordable Act’ will take control out of the hands of unaccountable bureaucrats, and it will empower parents to take charge of their children's education. It will also lower the burden on students who are working their way through college. I am proud to take a leading role on this important issue, and to work to advance this legislation which has broad bipartisan support."