Thread by @WinterForMT

Schumer saying Biden can cancel first $50,000 in student debt via executive order. And will do so in first 100 days. This will change so many lives.

https://twitter.com/alxthomp/status/1323709500419956737

Also thank you to @ewarren and her crew this is your doing :)

Also everybody please support our organizers that brought issues like this to the fore, especially those who worked in places that might not be that blue (👋 Montana #mtpol).

Please support those of us doing the hard work of progressive rural-state organizing and governing. It's a lonely road for many of us out here, but one we absolutely *must* walk if we are gonna bring greater equity to this country. Give us follows and support our work.

And in that spirit, 50k forgiveness is just the beginning. We've gotta expand non-4 year higher education opportunities in any comprehensive reform packages.

There must be a pathway for everyone to attain a living wage and essential jobs/work in our communities.

Otherwise you're all gonna go in Montana's direction: My constituents educate themselves, make an investment in their future, but then have to leave their home state bc wages here aren't high enough to cover debt service + food + housing. Let alone starting a family.

Its a one-two punch to Montana, causing brain drain AND disincentivizing anyone to enter higher education. Got roots you wanna keep? Wanna know your parents in their twilight years? Then don't get an education bc you wont be able to afford living in your hometown.

I wrote legislation to address this. It was admittedly a first step - cautious, thoughtful, and forecasted to *increase* our state tax revenues. My Republican colleagues laughed in my face and many of my Democratic sisters and brothers shrugged. Aka: We need help out here.

Policies helping the whole country *can*, when well crafted, assist rural states too and put them back in play for Dem Senate seats by increasing the number of college grads staying in-state.

That is if you wanna look at it good policy through a Democrat vs Republican lens.🤷‍♂️