Gov. Sonny Perdue said Friday he would rather not delay
elimination of book and fee money for HOPE scholars, as legislators are
proposing, but he praised senators for getting legislation moving to preserve
the popular scholarship program.
Perdue also indirectly criticized Lt. Gov. Mark Taylor, a possible opponent
in the 2006 elections, for turning efforts to save the program into a political
tug of war.
"I think there are statewide elected officials who seem to think that the
proper solution is to stick your head in the sand and everything goes away ---
if you pull the covers up, the bogeyman will leave," the governor said. "That's
not true. This is an issue we must deal with."
Democratic and Republican leaders in the General Assembly have been battling
over what to do about HOPE, which analysts say could face financial trouble in
coming years because of rising costs.
A bipartisan commission recommended a cost-cutting plan that included
eliminating, starting this fall, the book and fee payments HOPE scholars
receive. The chairmen of the House and Senate Higher Education committees
introduced bills to do just that, and Republican Perdue backs the proposals.
However, Taylor, a Democrat, and some House Democratic leaders opposed
eliminating money for books and fees this fall, a move that could cost some
students more than $1,000.
The Senate Higher Education Committee approved a plan Thursday that will
protect the book and fee money, probably at least for the next two school years.
The funds could be cut after that period if the scholarship program's financial
position continues to worsen.
"The bipartisan study commission did a great job, and their recommendations
are right on target. That's really what I think needed to be done, and that is
the best public policy," Perdue said. "But this is an issue that evidently
people want to play politics with. In light of where we are, . . . it is vital
to get something done this year."
Perdue said putting off such tough decisions could result in more changes
having to be made later, if rising costs continue. "I think that limits our
choices in the future and may mean that other action will have to be taken," he
said.
Unless changes are made, state analysts project, the HOPE and
pre-kindergarten programs, both funded with lottery proceeds, would run a
year-end balance deficit by fiscal 2008.
Taylor spokeswoman Kristi Huller defended his opposition to eliminating HOPE
book and fee payments.
"Lieutenant Governor Taylor is keeping a promise he made to the people in
2002. He make a pledge he would protect HOPE for future generations, and he has
made a proposal to do just that," Huller said. "Clearly, with these accusations,
the fox is guarding the henhouse, because many of those pointing fingers and
crying 'politics' never supported the program in the first place."