Education

A long-time program promised to forgive federal student loans for people who have worked in public service and made loan payments for 10 years. But that's not the way the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, or PSLF, has worked for borrowers.

As the executive director of Oregon Tradeswomen, Kelly Kupcak wants to see other women — and people of color — have the same opportunities for apprenticeships that helped her raise two sons as a union heavy equipment operator. "I am living proof of what pre-apprenticeship and registered apprenticeships can do," Kupcak said at an online forum organized by U.S. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici.

This special edition of the All In: Student Pathway Forward podcast is focused on federal policy with a featured guest who is one of the strongest legislative champions in Congress for community colleges and workforce development, Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici, serving Oregon's 1st congressional district.

Oregon Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici was in Portland Monday to discuss her efforts to help young people meet their most basic needs. She visited the Portland State University campus and stopped by the campus homeless shelter, the campus food pantry, and a child development center. She says the Build Back Better Act will help students who rely on these services.

Reps. Suzanne Bonamici (D-Ore.) and Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-Was.) introduced a measure last week that aims to expand the Child and Adult Care Food Program, which serves 4.7 million low-income children in child care centers, Head Start and afterschool programs, homeless shelters and other settings.

The Newberg school board's termination of the contract of Superintendent Joe Morelock has elicited howls of protest and a flurry of activity since the 4-3 decision on Nov. 9. Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici, who represents Newberg as part of the 1st Congressional District, said in a prepared statement, that she has been closely following the school board's actions over the past several months.