MD proposes free tuition for Eagle Scous

[hoosier]

House committee skeptical of free tuition for Scouts
By DAVID ABRAMS, Staff Writer
That's too many Girl Scout cookies.

Members of a House committee essentially had that
response to a bill that would waive tuition and fees
for Eagle Scouts and Girl Scout Gold Award winners at
public colleges and universities.

The cost after five years: as much as $10.4 million.

With so many programs competing for state dollars, the
bill got a cool reception from a committee resistant
to new spending without some way to pay for it. And
judging by the tone of the questioning, it is unlikely
the bill will win support.

A Cecil County Republican proposed the bill to keep
top Scouts from attending out-of-state universities.
Del. Michael Smigiel, whose district includes Queen
Anne's County, said Scouts benefit the community with
their volunteer work.

"We'd very much like to offer them an incentive to
stay in the state, and stay in Scouting," he told the
House Appropriations Committee at a hearing yesterday.

Based on current numbers, about 200 to 300 new Scouts
could qualify and enter four-year public colleges and
universities each year under the bill.

Several Scouts testified in favor of the bill, and
about 100 submitted written testimony in favor of free
tuition.

Amanda Cohen, a senior at Archbishop Spalding High
School in Millersville who aspires to become a Spanish
teacher, said she's not the typical athlete or
straight-A student who would qualify for a
scholarship.

But as a Scout, the Davidsonville 17-year-old has
helped cancer patients get access to resources for
starting a family, and helped poor children in
Appalachia get books for school.

"Other kids can earn scholarships for sports or
academics," she told the committee. "I haven't asked
for anything in return for the work I have done."

Her mother, Barbara Cohen, said Scouts have been
providing service for free.

"You are not paying for this," she said. "You're
paying back."

Committee members stressed that while they believed
Scouts were valuable and did a lot for the community,
they were a little put off by a special tuition break
that would benefit a specific group.

Right now, the state only allows a free ride for about
8,000 foster care children. Mr. Smigiel said the
highest ranked Boy and Girl Scouts should have the
same opportunity.

"You do recognize the unique situation that foster
care children have?" said Del. Melony Griffith,
D-Prince George's.

Other delegates shook their heads at the cost of the
measure.

"Someone has to pay for it," said Del. Peter Franchot,
D-Montgomery. "It's not like it's free."