LANSING -- The Michigan Legislature is preparing to give final approval to bills aimed at starting partnerships to provide college tuition for students in high unemployment areas. The legislation under consideration is modeled after the Kalamazoo promise, which guarantees free college tuition to graduates of Kalamazoo Public Schools. Northport in Leelanau County offers similar support for its students. Communities in "promise zones" with high unemployment or poverty would rely on private donations for funding. But to boost the effort, communities could use a portion of the educational property tax that usually goes to public schools to match the private donations. State officials say Governor Granholm supports the program.
