Bill Text: CA AR26 | 2013-2014 | Regular Session | Introduced

California Assembly Resolution 26 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: Relative to student loan forgiveness.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2014-05-15 - Read. Adopted. (Ayes 59. Noes 15. Page 4945.). [AR26 Detail]

Download: California-2013-AR26-Introduced.html

BILL NUMBER: HR 26	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Members Williams and John A. P�rez

                        SEPTEMBER 3, 2013

   Relative to student loan forgiveness.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
             HOUSE OR SENATE RESOLUTIONS DO NOT CONTAIN A DIGEST



   WHEREAS, The State of California is committed to improving the
affordability and accessibility of the state's higher education
systems, thus preserving the opportunity for Californians to receive
a world-class public education; and
   WHEREAS, This commitment was demonstrated by the inclusion of the
Middle Class Scholarship Act (MCSA) in the 2013-14 Budget Act, which
will reduce fees at the University of California and California State
University by up to 40 percent for middle class families; and
   WHEREAS, The success of California's community college and
university systems is essential to educating and training the
workforce needed to continue the recovery and growth of the world's
eighth largest economy and for the businesses in our state to compete
and innovate in a global, 21st century economy; and
   WHEREAS, The Assembly celebrates the importance of public service
and its value to our society, and is dedicated to ensuring that the
desire to contribute to public service is not forgone because of
financial limitations brought about by student loan debt; and
   WHEREAS, California is home to the largest body of public
employees in the country that serves a growing population of 38
million; therefore, California has the greatest potential to
encourage participation in, and benefit from, programs attracting
educated and talented individuals who want to enter public service;
and
   WHEREAS, California state government administers successful
student debt relief programs such as the Assumption Program of Loans
for Education for teachers, the State Nursing Assumption Program of
Loans for Education for nurses, the Steven M. Thompson Physician
Corps Loan Repayment Program, and partnerships with AmeriCorps and
the Peace Corps; and
   WHEREAS, The United States Department of Education created its
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program in 2007 with the goal
of helping those burdened by student loan debt that have dedicated
their careers to various areas of public service; and
   WHEREAS, The PSLF Program offers full student loan forgiveness
upon fulfillment of a 10-year Repayment Plan or completion of 120
regular payments through its Direct Loan Program, which offers both
Income-Based Repayment and Income-Contingent Repayment options that
are beneficial to employees with a wide range of salaries; and
   WHEREAS, The PSLF Program stands to benefit many California public
employees in fields such as K-12 education, health care, law
enforcement, military service, emergency management, public safety,
human services, and library services, among others; and
   WHEREAS, This federal loan forgiveness program incentivizes
college attendance, increases college affordability, and builds
partnerships between California universities and public institutions;
and
   WHEREAS, This resolution reaffirms California's commitment to
maintaining college affordability and accessibility as well as public
service; now, therefore, be it
   Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, That the
Assembly encourages public employers to take full advantage of the
Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program and other available programs
that are intended to help college graduates that have incurred
student loan debt in their pursuit of a degree; and be it further
   Resolved, That the Assembly intends to add its support to the
Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program by offering relevant
information to all new and current employees; and be it further
   Resolved, That the Assembly seek opportunities to promote policies
that will provide more loan repayment options to graduates burdened
by student loan debt, so that they can gain meaningful employment
that enhances their individual financial stability as well as
benefits the state as a whole; and be it further
   Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of
this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.