Pennsylvania has the dubious honor of having the second highest amount of student debt in the nation – an average of $37,061 per student – writes Ford Turner for The Allentown Morning Call.

State residents have $68 billion in student debt.

Over 10 years, tuition increased 40 percent while higher education state funding dropped five percent.

“You hear stories of kids coming out of college paying $1,000 a month in loan payments,” said Rep. Steve Samuelson, a Northampton County Democrat. “It is crushing our young people. It is an issue we have to address.”

Two lawmakers new to the Legislature this year – 30-year-old Rep. Jennifer O’Mara, a Delaware County Democrat, and 33-year-old Rep. Meghan Schroeder, a Bucks County Republican – have created an informal group to hash out the issue.

Thirty-two lawmakers have joined their “Student Debt Caucus,” even as various student debt bills await action in Harrisburg, from tax credits and limited forgiveness to refinancing.

O’Mara and Schroeder are looking for a package of legislation to address the problem.

Lack of student financial savviness, the state’s underfunding of higher education, and problems in the student loan system all contribute to the debt, both legislators believe.

Read more about student debt in The Allentown Morning Call here.

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