Texas House Opts Not To Cut Tuition For Veterans And Their Children
Follow CBSDFW.COM: Facebook | Twitter
AUSTIN (CBSDFW.COM/AP) — Texas lawmakers are opting to water down a major attempt to reduce the rising costs of a program offering free college tuition benefits to veterans and their children.
The sponsor of the bill that would have cut the benefits, Republican Rep. John Zerwas, said he has reached a deal easing them amid criticism that his original plan would hurt the state's heroes.
The program at the eye of the storm passed in 2009; called the Hazlewood Legacy Act, it allows veterans to to transfer their unused tuition-free credit hours to their children. But costs for the program climbed nearly six-fold over the past four years. More dependents have begun receiving free tuition under Hazlewood than veterans.
During two hours of debate Sunday, some House members opposed cutting veterans' benefits before Memorial Day. The vote eventually was delayed until evening.
Under the agreement, Zerwas said the House will only mandate that veterans be Texas residents for eight years before receiving free tuition, and study the program.
Since more dependents have begun receiving free tuition than veterans, some still want the program to change. What do YOU think? Weigh in on the CBS 11 Facebook page.
(©2015 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)