[Oasfaa] Press release on bill to expand OHLAP

[Fair, Bryce]

FYI - Below is the text of a press release issued today by Senate President Pro Tempore Mike Morgan about action by the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Education to recommend a bill on OHLAP to the full Senate Appropriations Committee.  The bill would increase the family income limit for OHLAP from $50,000 to $75,000 effective for students (8th, 9th, 10th-graders) enrolling in the program in 2006-07.   Sen. Morgan expressed his intent that the full Senate Appropriations Committee act on the bill next week with possible Senate floor action by the 3rd week of session (Feb. 23).  The Senate leadership has put this bill on a "fast track".  At this point, the House leadership has not expressed a formal position on the bill.  
 
Following is some information from our analysis of the higher income limit:

*	The most current federal census data (2004) indicates that about 56% of Oklahoma families have incomes of $50,000 or less; at $75,000, that rises to about 76%.
*	The first cost impact related to the higher income limit would be in FY2010 when next year's high school sophomores enter college.  The change could mean an additional 4,000 OHLAP students in 2009-10 at a possible additional cost of $10 million above current projections, with similar additional increases each year thereafter.

We will keep you apprised of the developments with this bill.
 
Bryce Fair
 
 
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Oklahoma State Senate
Senator Mike Morgan
President Pro Tempore
Senate District 21
Lincoln, Logan & Payne Counties

For Immediate Release: February 8, 2006

Senate Sub-Committee OKs Increase In Eligibility for Scholarship Program

The Senate Appropriations Sub-Committee on Education gave approval Wednesday to legislation that will make more children from middle class homes eligible to participate in the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program.

Senate Bill 1993 by Senate President Pro Tempore  <http://www.oksenate.gov/Senators/biographies/morgan_bio.html> Mike Morgan raises the maximum income eligibility for OHLAP from $50,000 to $75,000.

"OHLAP is one of the best examples we have of legislation that encourages personal responsibility. Students make a pact with the state to make good grades, take the right classes and stay out of trouble and they are rewarded with a tuition scholarship," Morgan said. 

The Senate leaders said Wednesday's vote was the first step in his plan to fast-track the OHLAP eligibility expansion bill in an effort to send it to the House of Representatives before the end of February.

"We should send the signal early in this session that we intend to invest in Oklahoma's future. We need to say to Oklahoma that we are looking beyond the fall campaigns and focusing, instead, on the future," Morgan said.

"This session needs to be about more than the next election. It must be about the next generation and there's no better way to invest in the next generation than offering greater educational opportunities to more of our students."

Senate Bill 1993 now heads to the full Senate Appropriations Committee where it is expected to be heard next Wednesday. Morgan said the bill could make it to the floor of the full Senate in the third week of the session.

For more information contact:
Senate President Pro Tem's Office - (405) 521-5605

 
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Bryce Fair 
Assoc. Vice Chancellor for Scholarships & Grants 
Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education 
Phone:  (405) 225-9162 
Fax:  (405) 225-9230 
E-mail:  bfair at osrhe.edu 

Mailing Address: 
P.O. Box 108850 
Oklahoma City, OK  73101-8850 

Street Address: 
655 Research Parkway, Suite 200 
Oklahoma City, OK  73104 

 
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