MADISON — Assembly Republicans have passed Gov. Scott Walker's college affordability package despite Democrats' warnings that the legislation does little to actually help students.
The bills include plans to lift the cap on tax-deductible student loan interest; boost grants for technical college and two-year students at University of Wisconsin Colleges to help them deal with emergencies; create internship coordinators; and require colleges to update students annually on how much debt they've accumulated.
Democrats implored Republicans to pass a bill allowing students to refinance their debt but the GOP members refused.
In the end they used their overwhelming majority to pass each bill early Wednesday, February 17th. The package now goes to the state Senate.