Free tuition bill to die in state House committee

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- A key lawmaker says legislation to greatly expand a free college tuition program won't be heard in the Oklahoma House.<br/><br/>Representative Chris Benge serves as the chairman

Thursday, April 13th 2006, 6:06 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- A key lawmaker says legislation to greatly expand a free college tuition program won't be heard in the Oklahoma House.

Representative Chris Benge serves as the chairman of the House Appropriations and Budget Committee.

He says the state can't afford to increase the family income ceiling for the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program to $75,000 from $50,000.

The change would make about 75 percent of high school students in the state eligible for free tuition.

Benge says the measure could be revived during negotiations to write a state budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1st.