With the academic year drawing to a close and the Red Sox lighting up our field of dreams once again, it is tempting to start down-shifting and glide into the relaxing rhythms of a quiet summer.
While I agree that it's important for college students to take a little time off to relax, I would also urge you all to make the summer of 2006 one of intense grass-roots action - first, because it can be a lot of fun, and second, because there is a lot at stake for you this year.
Take a look around at your fellow classmates. Some of them will not be back on campus in the fall because of cuts in student aid, higher rates on student loans, and the ever increasing cost of a college education. Others among you will graduate and face a different, but equally as demanding challenge: trying to find a job in a field that pays enough to afford a reasonable lifestyle here in Massachusetts.
As I travel all across this state as a candidate for lieutenant governor, I'm meeting and listening to many college students who are concerned about their future.
They wonder if they can afford to stay in school and then stay in Massachusetts after they graduate. The high cost of housing and the sluggish growth of our economy are pushing far too many of our young professionals to pull up stakes and head south, or west, in search of a better life.
A big part of why I'm running for lieutenant governor is to reverse this troubling trend, and frankly, I need your help to do it.
We need to make progress on several fronts. Clearly, when it comes to a college education, financial support is paramount. Nationally, the cost of a year in college has outpaced inflation by 40 percent over the past 25 years. The costs at private schools are astronomical. Even our public institutions of higher learning are getting too expensive.
Tuition and fees at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst have jumped from $5,212 in 2000 to $9,278 this year. On average, fees and tuition at our state colleges has ballooned from $2,962 in 2000 to $ 5,448 this year.
Massachusetts was once a leader in its support of public higher education; now we're near the bottom. The political leadership of this state must be forceful in its collective call to restore federal funding cuts for student aid and to increase state support for higher education. We should also work with the Massachusetts Education Financing Authority to find creative ways to assist our students who have been hurt by federal cuts. Our goal must be to make sure no one is denied access to a college education for economic reasons.
Beyond the cost of an education, I believe we must take bold steps to promote high-wage job creation and to increase the amount of affordable housing in this state. There are a lot of great reasons to want to call Massachusetts home, but if young people can't afford to live here, our state's future is in jeopardy. That's why I'm focusing on issues to promote growth in life sciences, biotechnology, alternative energy and other leading-edge industries that are vital to our future.
On the housing front, one of the most effective things we can do is to reclaim old brownfields - that is, clean up old industrial sites and mill buildings and convert them for use as housing or commercial space.
Old brick mills, which are often in downtown areas close to public transportation routes, make for great housing options for young people just starting out or for retirees looking to downsize. We've made that happen in Worcester, and I believe we must do more to promote brownfields redevelopment statewide.
Too often, elected officials take young voters for granted. There has been a sense that young people aren't politically active enough to have clout. But I think that is changing. Over the last few months I have seen the energy and passion of so many young people who have volunteered on my campaign.
This fall, I think younger voters have a great opportunity to make a difference in their own futures and the future of this state. Together we can create a new sense of hope and opportunity among young people in the Commonwealth. I hope you all take part.
Timothy P. Murray Mayor of Worcester, Democratic Candidate for Lieutenant Governor
