Democratic legislators in Madison propose bill to pay for public college

MADISON — Democratic legislators are proposing a bill that would give Wisconsin public college students grants to cover living expenses, tuition, student fees and textbooks.

Students would have to maintain a 3.0 grade point average and would have to work for three years in Wisconsin after graduating. If students leave the state prior to that or don't graduate, the grant funds would roll into a regular student loan account.

Rep. Melissa Sargent of Madison introduced the legislation at a news conference Monday. She said there is no fiscal estimate yet for what impact this would have. The price tag, however, could be gigantic.

The bill has almost no chance of passing. Republicans control both the Assembly and Senate.