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Lawmaker Believes MAP Grant Money Will Be Found
Even as a Republican legislative leader thinks little will be accomplished in Springfield during the fall Veto Session that began Wednesday, he does believe funding will be found for MAP grants for college students, which were only half-funded this fiscal year.

House Minority Leader Tom Cross (R-Oswego) says where that funding will come from is another story.

Republicans have proposed a tax amnesty, which Cross believes would bring in $104.9 million in revenue owed by both individuals and businesses. Those taxpayers would be able to square their accounts penalty-free if they pay the taxes owed. Those with collection proceedings already pending would not be eligible.

The money from the tax amnesty would then be deposited into the Illinois Student Assistance Commission Monetary Award Program fund. The bill has been referred to the House Rules Committee.

Cross says he can't speak for all, but says most Republicans would be opposed to an idea being floated by Gov. Pat Quinn that would call for a $1 per pack cigarette tax increase. The increase could bring in as much as $365 million.

The Monetary Assistance Program, which helps low-income students pay for college, was only half funded under the Fiscal Year 2010 budget.

According to Quinn, the $1 per-pack tax hike was passed in the Senate and would be used to pay a backlog of Medicaid bills that the state has accumulated, freeing up general revenue dollars to pay for MAP grants.

(Illinois Radio Network)
10 14 09 by Newsroom
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