Press Release

IT'S TIME TO MAKE SURE MORE VETERANS GO TO COLLEGE
Padgett says military heroes deserve a better shot at getting an education

HARROGATE – Tennessee veterans finally stand to get full college tuition when their enlistment is up, but Senator Alexander doesn’t seem to be interested in making it happen.

“Our servicemen and women who want to attend UT, Tennessee State, Memphis or any Tennessee universities simply can’t afford it based on what they get now under the GI Bill,” Mike Padgett, candidate for the U.S. Senate, said during a visit to Lincoln Memorial University. “But there’s a bill headed for the Senate that would cover all tuition costs for a great many of them.

“So, why hasn’t Senator Alexander signed on – like 10 other Republicans in the Senate – to support it and give our heroes the benefits they deserve? Maybe he follows the twisted logic of the White House, which says the better benefits will hurt recruitment and military regiment. If you can make sense of that, please explain it to me.”

For years, veterans have complained that tuition benefits under the GI Bill fall woefully short of what it costs to go to state colleges and universities. The Webb-Warner GI Bill would pay a veteran who has served at least 36 months the highest full tuition for a school in his or her home state, plus a housing stipend. It was introduced by Virginia’s two senators, Democrat Jim Webb, a Vietnam veteran and former Navy secretary, and Republican John Warner, also a former Navy secretary.

“The Bush-Alexander regime fights tooth and nail to protect tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans,” Padgett said, “but they can’t work up much enthusiasm for the young men and women who want to get an education after they have done us the great honor of serving in the military.

“Stand with me, and I will not hesitate to stand up for them.”

William "Mike" Padgett is former Knox County Clerk and small business owner. He and Patty, his wife of 37 years, have three grown children, Matt, Mark and Sara Beth

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