Clinton Bench, chair of the Young Democrats of Massachusetts--which Jacques calls "influential" in formulating the bill--echoes the senator's sentiments.
"With the tax deduction, it allows young people who've just graduated to purchase cars...[to] have more purchasing potential, which in turn helps the state economy," Bench says.
Harvard College estimates that the cost for tuition, fees, room board and personal expenses will be $33,200 for the 1998-99 academic year.
To students eligible for aid, the College gives a combined job and loan offer around $6,000 to $7,000. Any remaining financial need is met through a combination of outside scholarships, federal grants and University scholarship funds. This year, those scholarships averaged $15,400 per aid recipient.
If passed by July 1998, the state bill would be a companion to the federal student loan tax cut that Congress passed as part of Clinton's education package last year.
Supporters and opponents of the bill can call the main State House switch-board at 617-722-2000 to voice their opinion.