| Student Loan Repayment to Begin for Recent College Graduates
As last spring's college graduates near the end of their six-month student loan grace period, now is the time for them to consider repayment options that will help establish financial security and a healthy credit history. (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20030617/SLMLOGO-a ) .
Who Built the Debtors' Prisons?
Consumer debt is a divisive issue, judging by the reactions to "Prisoners of Debt" (Cover, Nov. 12). The article described a growing business in pressuring individuals to pay obligations they no longer legally owe--debts forgiven by bankruptcy courts but still purchased in the secondary market by outfits hoping to collect payments. Many readers were disturbed by the practice--"a gross injustice," one wrote. Some who responded focused on lax regulatory enforcement and the holes in the law that allow such collectors to operate. But others sided with the creditors, saying indebted consumers are shirking their responsibilities by seeking bankruptcy protection in the first place.
The actions of Capital One [which, the article said, failed to report a discharged debt to credit bureaus] may have been improper.
Commissioners unveil 2008 budget
Cumberland County commissioners formally unveiled a tentative 2008 budget Thursday that includes no tax increase.The news was no surprise, because the county finance director announced two weeks ago that next year's budget would not hold a tax increase. Commissioners produced a 201-page document detailing every expected expenditure.Republican Commissioner Bruce Barclay said the county is thriving."The county continues to enjoy strong economic and financial conditions in contrast to national trends, and we continue to project positive trends in the future," Barclay said.The county budget must be available for public inspection before the commissioners adopt it. They plan to do so Dec. 17. .
Make higher education free: Greens
Australia should introduce a free higher education system with a living allowance for students and apprentices, according to Greens Leader Bob Brown. The major parties had under-funded education in Australia for years, Senator Brown said, launching the Greens' education policy in Sydney today. “We are at the back of the class when it comes to like-minded countries," he told reporters. “It is taken for granted by Australians that our governments are spending well on education. “By world standards we're spending very poorly." Money for education had instead been going into “corporate welfare", he said. “It should be going into skilling young Australians." The Greens announced their first plan was to work towards the abolition of HECS fees in nursing and teaching and introduce “needs based" funding for public schools.
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