By Brad Atzinger
Gubernatorial candidate Steve Beshear unveiled a plan Wednesday aimed at sending more Kentuckians to college.
At a press conference at Jefferson Square Park in downtown Louisville, Beshear said his “Putting Opportunity First” plan would target both high school students and adults near completion of their degrees, but who have dropped out of school.
“We will start by enabling more kids to go to college and stay in Kentucky upon graduation,” Beshear said.
“My goal is to double the number of degree holders by the year 2020.” He added that he wants to bring the total to 800,000.
The $27 million plan includes a forgivable loan that would pay for one year of tuition for every year the student spends working after college.
Beshear also bemoaned the state of education in Kentucky, and said the commonwealth ranks 47th in workforce education and 45th in “our ability to compete economically with other states.”
“Ernie Fletcher has under-invested in education,” Beshear said of his republican opponent, “and our economy has suffered as a result.”
Beshear also addressed U of L’s domestic partner benefits, which has become another divisive campaign issue.
“We’ve asked them [U of L] to become one of the best universities in the nation,” said Beshear, “and they should have the tools they need to do it.”
