Cap Removed from Resident Undergraduate Tuition

The Washington House of Representatives passed HB 2344 by a vote of 50 to 47.

The bill provides for:

1. the Legislature to increase resident undergraduate tuition at any rate above the statutory 7 percent cap for 2009-10 and 2010-11,
2. institutions of higher education to notify students of the American Opportunity Tax Credit, and
3. the Higher Education Coordinating Board to convene a group of stakeholders to examine tuition policy.

The bill was amended on the floor to require the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee (JLARC) to conduct a systemic performance audit of the University of Washington. Unfortunately, another floor amendment failed by one vote. This amendment would have reset the base tuition in 2012 to the level it would have been if tuition had only been increased 7% annually.

Please email the Governor and your Senators to encourage them to maintain accountability by keeping the audit requirement in the bill. Ask you Senators to keep the accountability of the JLARC performance audit; ask them to amend the bill to reset base tuition, per the amendment that filed in the house by one vote.

This bill will likely make it to the Senate floor tomorrow for passage and submission to the Governor before the end of session this weekend.

Email the Governor:
http://www.governor.wa.gov/contact/

Email your Senator:
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder/Default.aspx