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Bill would grant in-state tuition to veterans

SERVICE WAIVER: Arizona State Senator Kyrsten Sinema, joined by Representative Ruben Gallego, announces the introduction of a bill that would provide a full tuition waiver to honorably discharged members of the armed services at any of Arizona’s three state universities. (Photo by Michael Arellano)
SERVICE WAIVER: Arizona State Senator Kyrsten Sinema, joined by Representative Ruben Gallego, announces the introduction of a bill that would provide a full tuition waiver to honorably discharged members of the armed services at any of Arizona’s three state universities. (Photo by Michael Arellano)

A legislative panel unanimously passed a bill Wednesday that would allow honorably discharged veterans to receive in-state tuition at Arizona’s universities.

The Arizona House of Representatives Military Affairs and Public Safety Committee advanced House Bill 2410 on Wednesday, seeking to change the current law that requires veterans to live in Arizona at least one year before being eligible to receive in-state tuition.

The one-year wait impedes the transition back to civilian life for many veterans, said UA student and veteran Rob Rosinski, the Arizona legislative director for the Student Veterans of America.

“For many veterans, this bill changes the possibility of attending college into the probability of attending college,” he said. “It removes the question of ‘Can I afford this?’”

Rosinski said the existing Montgomery GI Bill, which gives veterans money for education, will more than cover the cost of in-state tuition. HB 2410 would work with the GI Bill to provide higher education with no out-of-pocket expense for veterans.

The idea for the new bill originated with veterans, who then contacted the Arizona Students’ Association, said ASA spokesman Dan Sullivan.

ASA worked with veterans to contact legislators and draft the bill.

Several veterans, including Rosinski, spoke about the difficulty of returning home and voiced their support for HB 2410.

“When veterans get out of the service, we’re a very transient group. Typically, you go where you can find the best services or care,” Rosinski said. “If you don’t have any special [medical needs], you congregate where your family or old home is, or, for those looking to move forward through school, you look for the most affordable option.”

Bill sponsor and Air Force veteran Rep. Ted Vogt, R-Tucson, said he faced the problem of gaining residency when he first came to Arizona after finishing his last tour of duty.

“This bill is for those interested in getting on with next phase of life,” he said. “Gaining residency can be a real problem, so we are sending a clear message that we appreciate what our veterans have done and welcome them to Arizona.”

Rep. Russ Jones, R-Yuma, responded to critics by saying all veterans should be welcome in Arizona.

“Our veterans are really a legacy for the entire county,” he said. “It doesn’t matter where they come from.”

The Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services estimates there to be several hundred thousand veterans in the state, with several thousand enrolled in state universities.

HB 2410 looks to boost these numbers and encourage veterans to make their permanent homes in Arizona, said Rep. Ruben Gallego, D-Guadalupe, a Marine Corps veteran and sponsor of the bill.

“We are going to attract some of the best citizens to this state,” Gallego said. “We know Arizona will be better at the end of the day because of it.”

Army veteran and founder of the ASU Alumni Association’s Veterans’ Chapter Corey Harris stressed the need for legislation to care for veterans.

Harris said veterans are currently one of the most at-risk populations in the U.S., with incredibly high rates of incarceration, divorce, suicide and unemployment.

“We want to encourage their success and remove barriers to that,” he said. “That’s what this bill looks to do.”

HB 2410 will now move to the House Committee on Higher Education, Innovation and Reform for approval, followed by a full vote in the House of Representatives.

A similar bill was also passed unanimously in the state Senate Veterans and Military Affairs Committee last week.

Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, D–Phoenix, commented on the evident importance of the bill, citing the bipartisan and bi-chamber support that has already been shown.

“It’s great to have two chambers work together to do this,” she said. “I expect within the next several weeks we will see this legislation make its way to Gov. [Jan] Brewer’s desk.”

Vogt stressed that in the end, the bill is a way to thank veterans for their service.

“At any given time, there is one percent of the U.S. population that serves in the armed forces,” he said. “That one percent has been at war on our behalf for nearly 10 years while we carry on life uninterrupted. They contribute directly to our lives. This is our way to repay them.”

Reach the reporter at keshoult@asu.edu


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