For Immediate Release
Contact: Sheila McCant
LA House of Representatives
Office of Public Information
Phone: (225) 342-9795
FAX: (225) 219-4380

February 08, 1999

WILKERSON PROPOSES EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES

    State Rep. Pinkie Wilkerson announced today that she has prefiled legislation for the upcoming 1999 Regular Session that will allow state employees to take one college course per semester or quarter, free of charge.

    The legislation applies only to full time classified or unclassified state employees. The employee may take up to three credit hours per semester, or its equivalent at an institution operating on a quarter system, and all fees other than tuition must be paid by the state employee. Further, they will not displace regular students who will have priority. The courses must be taken on the institution's main campus and the employee must meet all prerequisite course requirements.

    Wilkerson said, "Our state employees are valued constituents. They do an exceptional job and deserve an opportunity to improve their skills and to have access to higher education. I think it is the least we can do to make the opportunity available to them. This bill allows the state employee to enroll in classes only after regular students have been accommodated. However, the universities may include any such students in their official count. Additionally, this legislation only applies to classes taken at a state college or university."

    Rep. Wilkerson has requested a fiscal note to determine if there will be any significant cost to the state for such a program. Rep. Wilkerson is evaluating this program to see if state employees are interested and to determine the feasibility of implementation.

    The prefiled legislation is House Bill 128. It has tentatively been referred to the House Education Committee. The 1999 Regular Session convenes on Monday, March 29.

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