Reps. Farhat, LaJoy, Steil, Nofs, Gaffney, Ward, Hoogendyk, Sheen, Woronchak, Brandenburg, Kooiman, Huizenga, Stahl, Newell, Hager, Wenke, Shackleton, Milosch, Mortimer, Bradstreet, Emmons, Pastor, Vander Veen, Shaffer, Palsrok, Acciavatti, Moolenaar, Stakoe, VanRegenmorter, Nitz, Brown, Hune, Farrah, Plakas, Sak, O'Neil, Dennis and Vagnozzi offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 204.

            A resolution to urge Michigan's public universities and community colleges to charge in-state tuition rates instead of nonresident rates to members of the military and their dependents stationed in Michigan.

            Whereas, Although we should need no reminders of the sacrifices that are always being made by members of America's Armed Forces, the current challenges facing our nation clearly illustrate the stresses that military service places on military families; and

            Whereas, One of the many hardships that confront members of the military and their families involves rates of tuition for higher education.  Military families relocate regularly as service needs are met.  The result of these moves is that military personnel and their dependents often are unable to establish residency for the purpose of paying the lower in-state tuition rates; and

            Whereas, It is unfair for military families, whose locations are essentially determined by the nation's needs as the military assigns its personnel around the country, to be penalized by having to pay the significantly higher nonresident tuition rates for higher education.  Across the country, many states have adopted policies to permit military personnel and families to benefit from in-state tuition rates.  Michigan's universities and community colleges should do so as well; and

            Whereas, By its very nature, service in the military requires people to give up a great deal for their fellow Americans.  There is, however, no reason that these enormous sacrifices should include major financial obstacles to higher education; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we urge Michigan's public universities and community colleges to charge in-state tuition rates instead of nonresident rates to members of the military and their dependents stationed in Michigan; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to Michigan's public universities and community colleges.