Oregon treasurer pitches plan to pay for college

SALEM, Ore. (AP) — Oregon’s treasurer wants to make higher education more affordable for all students and has proposed selling $500 million in bonds for a permanent fund for student aid.

Bills that would implement the ideas passed the Senate Education and Work Force Committee on Thursday. The proposals face several legislative hurdles, but lawmakers approve the plans, the issue would then be put on the ballot for voters to decide.

Some legislators are expressing reservations about the state taking on debt to pay for tuition.

Republican Jeff Kruse of Roseburg says he understands that higher education is underfunded, but he suggested trying to reduce the costs of education rather than adding debt.