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GVSU OKs higher room, board rates
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U.S. Rep. Justin Amash responds to an audience question during a town hall meeting Thursday at City High Middle School. Mike Clark, MLive.com
AMASH FROM A1
“The whole strategy is that we are able to resist Trump’s agenda by targeting our local congresspeople to resist him,” Lewis said. HOW DID YOU GET ELECTED?
In response to a question about how he was elected: “How did I get elected?” A ma sh a sked. “People like me. I don’t know what to tell you. They find me charming or handsome. I don’t know what it is. Whatever the case, I’ve always been very independent. If you think Republicans in D.C. are in love with me, they’re not. They try to remove me every chance they get.” RUN FOR PRESIDENT?
At one point, attendees asked Amash if he plans to run for president. The congressman smiled and repeated the question with an air of surprise in his voice. Amash went on to say he believes the American people need better choices than were on the ballot in 2016. PARTISANSHIP ON DISPLAY
While talking about the danger of approaching issues with an inflexible partisan ideology, Amash was faced with an illustration of his point. Amash said a lot is going wrong in the nation’s capital right now, to which he received thunderous applause. But when he went on to say a lot went also wrong when a Democrat was in the White House, the “boos” drowned out a few stray cheers. “There we go with the partisanship,” Amash said. “That’s an example of my point.” OBAMACARE REPEAL
Paul Bonis, a former area hospital president, told the forum that, based on his background as a health care professional, he knew firsthand the benefit the Affordable Care Act had for many seeking care. Regardless of the fate of the health care law, Bonis sa id, he pleaded w it h Amash to fight to ensure that at least the provision requiring coverage of preexisting conditions is sustained. “Whatever new Trumpcare or new health care law is passed, I believe, needs to contain those two sen-
Sandy Bostian asks Rep. Justin Amash if there will be a congressional hearing on the recent U.S. military raid in Yemen. Mike Clark, MLive.com
tences to protect people’s rights to be able to not be discriminated against in obtaining health insurance because they have a preexisting condition,” he said. DISSOLVING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
In response to Amash’s support of a bill that would dissolve the federal Department of Education, a woman asked how Amash would handle the problems created, particularly for students with special needs, i f t he fe der a l f u nd i n g source was eliminated. Amash said states could step up and offer those same programs more efficiently. “I think the state of Michigan could move very quickly to replicate these programs in the next couple years,” he said. SOLVING THE NATIONAL DEBT
In response to a question about the national debt and the impact it might have on Social Security, Amash responded by saying he proposes a 10-year plan to balance the federal budget. “R a i s e t a xe s on t he wealthy,” a voice shouted from the crowd. Amash’s response that raising taxes on the wealthy alone would not solve the problem were met w ith shouts of disagreement. “It’s mathematically correct,” Amash said. “I believe in science and math.”
job reaching out to people on both sides.” “Ridiculous,” one man yelled out. REFUGEE BAN
On the topic of President Donald Trump’s controversial travel ban, Amash said banning refugees from all countries “doesn’t appear to be sound policy.” “I think that goes too far,” he said. “There are definitely people who can be vetted.” That said, Amash said he is skeptical of the process of vetting refugees and thinks more needs to be done. “I have been to classified meetings, and I do not believe it is very thorough,” he said.
DE T ROI T — Grand Valley State University approved a n avera ge i ncrea se i n room and board rates of 2.4 percent for the 201718 academic year Friday during its Board of Trustees meeting in Detroit. The housing and dining budget for next school year increased $500,000 to $54.2 million. The increase for the three primary meal plans is $75 per semester, rising from $1,475 to $1,550. The housing rate overall increased an average of 1.7 percent. The weighted average increase is $26 per semester, with price cha nges ra ng ing f rom $25 to $70 per semester, depending on housing type. For example, the popular and least expensive traditional living center double room is increasing $25 from $2,725 to $2,750. The annual cost of the traditional room and 14 Plus Meal Plan will be $8,600 next year, up $200. “There are many factors involved in establishing new rates for housing and dining, and careful consideration is given to the impact on students, as well as maintaining the high level of service and support that our students receive while living on campus,” according to the board’s executive summary. Officials say the housing rates remain competitive with off-campus options
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The congressman stressed the importance of meeting face-to-face with constituents. “Thank you for making this a part of your day and encouraging others to attend as well,” he said. “We need this in our community. Thanks.” In a tweet later that night, he promised to continue holding the meetings. The next sessions, Amash said, will be held “on the road” in other portions of the 3rd Congressional District.
and the other public fouryear universities in Michigan and point out that the current meal plan is the lowest in the state. The 5.1 percent increase in meal plans is the result of expected inflationary food costs of 2.75 percent and the impact of the increase in minimum wage. GVSU had a record fall enrollment of 25,325 students. There were 5,875 students residing in university housing this winter and 6,090 enrolled in one of the meal plans, according to Andrew Beachnau, director of housing, residence life and health sciences. A new $37 million residence hall and academic building opened this academic year on the Allendale campus. T he bud get i nclude s $7.2 million in projects designed to minimize the deferred maintenance on university facilities. In other Board of Trustees business: The board approved a doctor of audiology degree. The 84-credit progra m, which will begin in fall 2018, will include clinical and experiential learning and a 12-month internship. The board approved a resolution to issue general revenue bonds not to exceed $25 million for the Health Building-500 Lafayette project. The new building, which will expand the health campus in Grand Rapids, was named for area business leader Raleigh J. Finkelstein during a groundbreaking ceremony Nov. 22.
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More Rep. Bill Huizenga to schedule phone, in-person forums, A3
BETSY DEVOS
A woman who works for an intermediate school district said she and many of her colleagues are very unhappy with Betsy DeVos’ confirmation as secretary of education. “She has been active on education issues for a long time,” Amash said. “It’s good to have diversity of thought, and I think she’ll do a good
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Justin Amash speaks to some of the people left outside the auditorium who could not get in because the room was full. Mike Clark, MLive.com
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