On June 15, MATC got another opportunity to have a champion for the students come out to discuss her disgust with the interest rate increases in student loans.
House of Representative of the 2nd District, Tammy Baldwin is running for Senate to succeed retiring Senator Herbert Kohl Before she took to the podium, Andy Suchorski, College Democrat Chair acted as emcee and boasted his support and character validation for Baldwin.
Suchorski first introduced the audience to a speaker from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee campus, Solana Patterson-Ramos, whose majors in Environmental Science and Community Studies compiled her to speak as voice of the numerous studies who would be affect by this heighted percentile increase.
“In my capacity on campus, I assist student with applying for student loans.” Ramos stated and continued, “Our graduation should not have us looming over the debt we’ve acquired but celebrating in our accomplishments.”
Which was statement so few students are conscious, until the reality comes 6 months later in the form of the first payment due. Solana Ramos concluded urging more people to stand with such dedicated supports of education like Tammy Baldwin.
When Baldwin took to the podium, to tell the audience what her agenda for the afternoon was about, standing with her as she battles the Tea Party Republicans in congress to not vote on increase the Stafford Loans.
“Republicans in Congress have consistently blocked legislation that would prevent student loan interest rates from doubling from 3.4 % to 6.8 this year.” Baldwin advises the crowd on the out comings in Congress.
Baldwin went further to say, “Congress must act by July 1st in order to prevent rates from increasing; inaction on this issue would cost the 167,480 Wisconsin students with Stafford Loans and extra 968 on average.
Baldwin gave greater statistic backing her finding showing the average debt load in Wisconsin is $24,627 with 67% of the state’s students holding debt.
Baldwin could be controversial in the fact that she is the first openly gay non-incumbent to elect in the House of Representatives.
She also could be controversial because she is a believer in equal pay for women and has lent her support to such initiatives like the Equal Pay Act (EPA.)
Baldwin stands behind the super wealth paying their fair share in order to make education affordable and accessible which is ‘The Buffet Rule’. That could be what makes her a stand out in Congress.
After all, they know the budget was off since March, which she why she proposed the Buffett Rule to assist in the balance. No matter what makes Baldwin stand out, one thing is for sure, she is speaking out for students in Wisconsin to afford an education. To have an education is power.
