Ohio University President Duane Nellis spoke out against the proposed GOP tax plan in a campus-wide email Monday, referencing provisions that would affect higher education.
In its current form, Nellis said, the plan would fundamentally make college education more expensive for students and families.
“It also would reduce our ability to provide quality education for economically disadvantaged students,” Nellis wrote. “The reforms contain changes that are financially detrimental to University employees.”
According to the email, Nellis shared his concerns with U.S. Rep. Pat Tiberi, R-Ohio, and Rep. Jim Renacci, R-Ohio. Both congressmen are Ohio delegation members on the House Ways and Means Committee.
In a Nov. 13 interview with Fox News, Renacci voiced his support for the current House plan.
“We’ve got to do this for the American people,” Renacci said. “We have to make sure we’re cutting taxes for them and at the same time we’ve got to get a sustained growth … that’s what Americans are looking for. They want us to come together and get things done.
Renacci said it could be “catastrophic” for both parties if they are unable to reach a compromise.
Similarly, Tiberi said in a news release the proposed plan “will help all Americans, especially those who have felt left behind in the slow and uneven economic recovery of the past decade.”
According to The Washington Post, the plan would likely add to America’s $20 trillion debt, granting major tax cuts to businesses and the wealthy. The House could vote on its version of the bill as soon as Thursday.
Nellis joined members from Ohio’s Inter-University Council in co-signing a letter to “implore our Congressional leadership to reconsider detrimental provisions in the proposed legislation.”
“My focus is to remain fully engaged in protecting the ability for Ohioans to continue to have access to quality higher education options,” Nellis wrote. “I will continue to advocate for Ohio University’s students and our University community.”
