House Majority Leader Glenn Cummings has developed an innovative plan to make higher education more affordable and to keep Maine’s college graduates in the state.

Just being innovative, however, isn’t enough to sell us on the idea.

We wholeheartedly support his goals; the specifics of his plan are another matter, and we need more information about how the proposal would fit in with other bond priorities, including land conservation, primary, secondary and higher education and research and development.

Cummings would like to use a $50 million state bond to help students repay their college loans if they agree to work in Maine for four years after graduation. The plan would be available for Mainers and students from other states.

“We need to upgrade our people, not outsource our jobs,” said Cummings. “Lowering costs is an important component of economic success, but the real litmus test for businesses is whether there is a workforce that possesses the skills they are really looking for and can meet their needs.”

It’s hard to argue with his point, but we believe there are better ways to make higher education more accessible and to draw college graduates to Maine.

A bond of $50 million could be used to better fund the state’s university and community college system, helping to create the research and development atmosphere that breeds new jobs and attracts students. It could also help make the University of Maine System more affordable by reducing the need for higher tuition.

And while Cummings’ proposal might entice students to stay in Maine for the required four years, improved opportunities in a highly diverse job market would give people the chance to stay forever. In the end, young graduates will follow opportunity regardless of reduced-debt incentives. Maine, meanwhile, is already doing a pretty good job of drawing new people to the state because it is an attractive place to live and raise a family.

Cummings makes a strong case for why it’s a good idea to reduce students’ debt burden. He cites the National Student Loan Survey, which found that the average college student takes on nearly $19,000 of debt by the time he or she graduates, up 66 percent from five years ago.

As Cummings is quick to admit, bonds are traditionally used for brick-and-mortar projects. We could envision investments in a knowledge-based economy that would break this mold. But with the needs already so high for university funding in the state – and little chance that the Legislature will find additional resources for higher education in the near future – campus brick-and-mortar projects, program development and lower tuition should be higher priorities.

Making college more affordable is a laudable goal, and Cummings gets credit for tossing aside convention. But by increasing funding for higher education, the state could control tuition inflation and help students avoid debt in the first place. That would be a better place to start.