Harkin touts Clinton’s college plan

DES MOINES - Former Sen. Tom Harkin endorsed Democrat Hillary Clinton for president earlier this month. Now he is endorsing her plan for cutting the 'runaway” cost of attending public colleges and slowing the accumulation of student debt to be repaid after graduation.

Harkin told reporters during a conference call Monday that Clinton's proposed 'New College Compact” could affect 33,000 full-time students attending public universities and another 93,000 enrolled at community colleges in Iowa.

'Hillary's plan is sound, it's doable and will really move the ball forward in providing help to college students,” said Harkin, a Democrat who served 10 years in the U.S. House and 30 years in the U.S. Senate.

According to the Clinton campaign, the former secretary of state's plan calls for free tuition at community colleges for two years, which would cut students' costs by about $9,100. The savings for families earning $50,000 a year with students attending four-year colleges could be more than $25,000 in reduced tuition, books, fees and loan costs for four years, the campaign said.

Harkin cited Clinton campaign data indicating that the average yearly cost for attending the University of Iowa has risen to about $18,900, and Iowa students graduating from a four-year public university leave with debts ranging from $23,200 to $29,900.

'These reductions would have a real impact on families here in Iowa and move us closer to putting college within reach for more Iowans,” Harkin said.

Other Democratic presidential candidates, such as Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley, also have offered plans to make college more affordable and accessible.

Clinton's campaign has said her proposal would cost $350 billion over 10 years and would be funded by limiting certain tax breaks for high-income taxpayers.

The Clinton plan seeks to make college more affordable by offering incentives to states that agree to provide no-loan tuition at four-year public institutions in exchange for federal grants.

Trent Seubert, a University of Iowa senior, said he welcomed Clinton's proposal because he is 'increasingly worried” about how he will pay off his student debt.

'Hillary Clinton doesn't want my debt to hold me back from living my life and doesn't think it should follow me around forever,” said Seubert, who also participated in the teleconference with Harkin.

However, Fred Brown, spokesman for the Republican National Committee, said Clinton's approach draws from 'the same failed Democrat playbook” of more government spending and higher taxes.

'Hillary Clinton's solution to every pressing policy issue is to expand government and raise taxes, and this plan is no different as it will cost hardworking Americans another quarter trillion in tax hikes,” Brown said.

The teleconference on Clinton's college plan came as she prepares to make a return trip to Iowa on Wednesday to announce her policy to strengthen agriculture and support rural communities. Clinton is slated to speak in Ankeny and Sioux City before wrapping up with an event in Baldwin.