Minority grant changes get preliminary OK

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The Wisconsin state Assembly has given preliminary approval to a surprise proposal introduced by a Democrat, and backed by Republicans, to eliminate race as a factor in college grant applications.

The proposal, made around 11 p.m. Tuesday, elicited a furious response from Democratic opponents who prolonged debate until about 8 a.m. Wednesday. Democrats used a procedural move to block final approval until Thursday.

Democratic Rep. Peggy Krusick made the proposal which won support from Republicans. Her Democratic colleagues castigated her for the proposed change, which was made to a bill that had bipartisan support.

The grants in question range from $600 to $1,800 and are given to about 4,300 poor students a year.

The bill would remove being a minority as one of the qualifiers to receive the grants.