Pubdate: Wed, 21 Feb 2007
Source: Diamondback, The (U of MD Edu)
Copyright: 2007 Diamondback
Contact:  http://www.diamondbackonline.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/758

FUNDING JUSTICE

Removing federal restrictions from state financial aid payouts 
removes punishments beyond those dictated by the legal system.

Del. Ana Sol Gutierrez has introduced a bill to the Maryland state 
legislature that would remove certain state funding from being bound 
by federal restrictions. On the surface, this may seem 
uncontroversial, but the ramifications are huge. Currently, federal 
law bars drug violators from receiving financial aid from the state 
of Maryland - this bill opens the door.

We are in full support. Editorial pages nationwide, including The 
Diamondback's, have been set aflame by debates on the righteousness 
of the U.S.'s drug, but truly, this is not the issue at hand. 
Federalist arguments aside, we frame our opinion on the bill from the 
view that it is nonsensical that a person convicted of a crime is 
being punished again - beyond their original sentence - by being 
barred from financial aid.

Consider as well that those hurt by federal restrictions are often 
the most unfortunate and disenfranchised elements of society. We're 
not making excuses for drug violators by blaming poverty, but it does 
not make sense to withhold financial support from the state's 
poorest, who have already served their time and punishment as 
mandated by the justice system.

Not everyone gets off scot-free - the state of Maryland itself can 
restrict drug violators from freely recieving financial aid, but this 
bill further widens the window for debate on the issue.

Drug violators are fully eligible for admission to the university and 
in-state tuition status. If the state is interested in restricting 
the freedom of drug violators to pursue a public education, why 
restrict only financial aid, and not the education itself?

We hope Del. Gutierrez's bill gains deserved attention and support. 
Maryland should simply let the appropriate laws punish the 
appropriate crimes. There are already penalties on the book for drug 
violations. The additional punishment of withholding financial aid 
acts as an unjust and irrelevant shadow amendment and should be terminated.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman