House tax bill risks brain drain

As a Ph.D. candidate and director of the University of Louisville’s policy/outreach group, I cannot allow the concerns of the higher education community to go unheard. The current tax proposal is a disaster for graduate students and runs contrary to our nation’s priorities.

The recently-passed House plan repeals the tuition waiver provision, a rule that alleviates the financial burden graduate students undertake while completing their degrees. Not only will this change force students to assume additional debt, it will also discourage future students from pursuing graduate school in this country. Rather, students will seek education in a more financially supportive environment outside of the U.S, triggering a national “brain-drain.” Is this keeping America first?

Proponents tout the reform bill as tax relief for individuals at every income level. Perhaps a math lesson is in order: Under this plan, my income would drop from $22,500 to $16,000 due to higher taxes. “Relief” is not the word that comes to mind.

This bill compromises scientific and technological progress, drains pockets and weakens our position as global leader in research and development. I urge the Senate to maintain the tuition waiver and ensure its repeal is not added in conference. America’s future is at stake.

This story was originally published November 22, 2017 at 6:22 PM with the headline "House tax bill risks brain drain."