Okay so colleges across Michigan have raised their tuition rates due to the on going budget crisis in the state government. Many of the universities and colleges were short changed in the FY 07 budget so it could be balanced without raising taxes. So now the spin doctors a.k.a. Granholm and the House Democrats have sent out their weekend warriors to spin the truth and tell people the Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop is to blame for the higher tuition rates. I would have to disagree with these allegations. Here is a perfect example of how universities are over spending on wasteful programs instead of trying to find new ways to lower tuition for students. Maybe tuition rates wouldn't have to be raised??

Today, the Detroit News reported that not only does MSU pay for courtesy-cars for athletic coaches and athletic administrators but, `Michigan State hands out another perk reserved for the highest echelons of private business -- a country club membership." According to the report, the memberships cost the school around $35,000 a year. A university, according to Webster's Dictionary, is an institution of higher learning providing facilities for teaching and research and authorized to grant academic degrees. I don't see anything in there about country club perks for basketball coaches in there? I'm a student at MSU and this really irritates me...I am paying more in tuition for our athletic coaches to sit by the pool or play a round of golf at one of the local country clubs.

So don't sit there and say that Mike Bishop is raising the tuition at schools when these universities and colleges need to be held responsibly for their irresponsible spending habits.... and that is why it is my goal as well as Americans for Prosperity to expose college earmarks.  Can you just imagine what else our universities are spending on? Well, AFP will find out!

Steve Japinga
Americans for Prosperity

Detroit News link: http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070727/SCHOOLS/707270365