This past week Virginia State Senator Mark Herring came to the University of Virginia to talk to students about the upcoming Presidential and Senatorial elections Virginians will be voting in come November 6th.
A University of Virginia graduate himself, Herring told students that he would not have been able to pay for college without loans and grants. He stressed the importance of these programs and for many students the message hit close to home.
A recent study shows that just over 50% of college students in the United States graduate within 6 years of enrolling, meaning nearly half of all students who enroll in American universities do not end up graduating often citing cost as the issue.
A statement released by Hoos for Obama, the group hosting the event, read, “President Obama has fought to keep college affordable and doubled funding for Pell grants. In contrast, to pay for his budget-busting tax cuts for the wealthy, Mitt Romney could cut education spending by 20%, including the Pell Grant program, resulting in 178,000 Virginia students losing an average of $1,000 in college financial aid” and Senator Herring made sure to remind students as much.
Afterwards when asked for his thoughts on the recent board of health decision which will require that all abortion clinics in the state which administer 5 or more first trimester abortions per month, be required to meet new hospital regulation, Senator Herring said he felt that, “[Attorney General Cuccinelli] bullied [The Board of Health] and pressured them because he disagreed with their position” abusing the powers of the office.
With gender politics being as decisive issues as it is, there are those who believe this most recent decision by the Virginia Board of Health will bring the women of Virginia out to the polls on Election Day. As Senator Herring said, “it’s another reason to motivate women to go to the polls not only this year but next.”
In 2013 Senator Herring will be running for office once again, but this time for Attorney General. When asked what his plans are for the future he smiled and said, “When we win the election this November I’ll be there to carry the momentum forward into 2013.”
