Governor Terry Branstad’s administration is proposing a $2 million dollar plan to help ease student debt. It involves giving Iowans a generous tax credit to contribute to charities, who in turn give out grants to students who volunteer for the Iowa based nonprofits. Contributors will get 65% of their contributions back in the form of tax credits.
Student debt is a growing concern for recent graduates in Iowa. Michael Bousselout, legal counsel for Branstad says that while this plan isn’t a “silver bullet,” it’s a start.
It sounds like we're putting a new tire on a school bus with a blown engine. - Rep. David Jacoby
During this River to River interview, host Ben Kieffer talks with statehouse correspondent Joyce Russell about the plan. Bousselot and State Representative David Jacoby from Iowa’s 74th District also join the conversation.
Rep. Jacoby says he has lots of unanswered questions about the plan, “It seems like a completely unvetted good idea. Not to be crass about it, it sounds like we’re putting a new tire on a school bus with a blown engine.”
