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Sandra Fluke seeks wider influence in California

By WTOP Staff

JUDY LIN
Associated Press

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — The former Georgetown University law student who gained national attention for being denied a chance to testify in Congress for health plan contraception coverage — and then was subjected to degrading comments by radio host Rush Limbaugh — is hoping to make public policy of her own.

Sandra Fluke is running as a first-time candidate for a seat in California’s state Senate to represent some of the most affluent communities of Los Angeles County, a district that stretches from the Hollywood Hills to the Palos Verdes peninsula.

In a district where Democrats outnumber Republicans 2-1, Fluke is campaigning on an agenda that includes subsidized early education, greater environmental protection, expanded public transit and public matching funds for political campaigns, not to mention her advocacy of women’s rights.

Fluke said she saw an opportunity “to grab that microphone and make use of it” after she was thrust into the spotlight two years ago.

She drew attention in February 2012 after congressional Republicans denied her a chance to testify about wanting her college health plan to cover birth control. After she spoke to a panel of Democratic lawmakers, Limbaugh compared her to a prostitute. He later apologized.

“I don’t think that my time in that situation is what in any way qualifies me for office, but I think it gives voters an example of what my leadership looks like,” said Fluke, 33. “You can see that I don’t back down from my position, that I’m willing to stand for my community’s needs regardless of the consequences for me.”

Despite the name recognition, her road to the state Capitol is not a sure one. Fluke finished second in a field of eight candidates during the June 3 primary and faces fellow Democrat, Ben Allen, who has a wide network of connections in the district, in the November general election.

She initially considered a run for Congress after Democratic Rep. Henry Waxman announced his retirement but decided against it after high-profile candidates entered that race.

Fluke decided to run for a newly created district in the 40-member state Senate because the Legislature is where “I can actually have a policy impact,” she said. Democratic state Sen. Ted Lieu, who represents the current, overlapping district, is running for Waxman’s seat.

Allen, 36, is an attorney and Santa Monica school board member who has received broad support from Republicans and independents, who account for 43 percent of the district’s voters. He is single.

Allen was helped by nearly $600,000 in independent expenditures from businessman and independent congressional candidate Bill Bloomfield, who has a history of backing Republicans such as Sen. John McCain and House Speaker John Boehner. Bloomfield is active with No Labels, an organization dedicated to electing centrist candidates.

Allen said he is proud of his record in reaching out to work with people who have different perspectives. The Santa Monica native hopes his commitment to the community will trump Fluke’s name recognition.

“I think it’s about roots. It’s about temperament. It’s about substantial policy-making experience,” Allen said. “I’ve got a track record of working with people from all across the political spectrum to get things done.”

Allen has raised at least $443,388, including more than $50,000 from his law firm, Richardson & Patel LLP, while Fluke has raised about $500,000, including $175,000 from her own loans and contributions, according to campaign finance reports.

Fluke is a social justice attorney who represents victims of human trafficking and domestic violence and also does nonprofit advocacy. She lives with her husband, writer and producer Adam Mutterperl, in West Hollywood.

She’s been endorsed by EMILY’s List, Planned Parenthood and California NOW.

Scott Lay, who studies California political races for his website AroundTheCapitol, said it’s difficult to predict how voters will react. He said Fluke could have an edge if women vote in response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision that exempted some businesses with religious objections from covering women’s contraceptives in their health plans.

“All national analyses right now are that the 2014 election is going to be largely decided by white women, particularly those between say 40 and 55,” Lay said.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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