Major Tuition Hike Bill Gets Final Approval

March 9, 2012

Senators approved a plan Thursday that could allow the University of Florida and Florida State University to pass along major tuition increases to students.

The bill drew little discussion before passing on a 36-3 vote, with Senate President Mike Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island, and Sens. Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, and Andy Gardiner, R-Orlando, dissenting.

It passed the House last week and now goes to Gov. Rick Scott, who has expressed reluctance about raising university tuition.

The bill would allow universities that meet 11 of 14 standards to submit plans for tuition increases that go beyond ordinary state limits. Supporters say the state’s top research universities need more control over tuition, but opponents question passing along potentially far-higher costs to students and families.

While the bill does not name specific institutions, it is at least initially targeted at UF and FSU.

By The News Service of Florida

Comments

7 Responses to “Major Tuition Hike Bill Gets Final Approval”

  1. 429SCJ on March 12th, 2012 8:01 am

    I think these tuition hikes are going to allow us to fund more scholarships, to those who are here illegally. A silver lining in the old dark cloud,

  2. Christine Rodgers on March 12th, 2012 7:11 am

    Thank you Senators Haridopolos, Gaetz and Gardiner for standing up for the little people.
    God bless you.

  3. Jane on March 11th, 2012 8:12 am

    It all starts with the state government. Yes, I can read and I realize this is the state we are talking about. But the education of our students affects the entire nation, because many do stay here to work!

  4. To Jane on March 9th, 2012 11:42 pm

    Jane:
    This has NOTHING to do with the Federal (national) government, this is the STATE government.

  5. Kathy on March 9th, 2012 9:35 am

    The lottery was passed for Florida because it was supposed to help with the cost of schools. It does no good to withdraw tax money from schools and substitute lotto money because nothing has changed monetarily. I am ashamed of Florida government officials and now even more so with tuition hikes in colleges.

  6. Mattw on March 9th, 2012 6:16 am

    “The bill drew little discussion before passing”… Since when did the ability of a student to actually afford to attend college become something so easy shoved under the rug?… This is going to hinder A LOT of students from become college graduates or even attending at all… Priorities people!!

  7. Jane on March 9th, 2012 5:23 am

    And so much for Obama’s “everyone has to go to college” plan. Less people will be able to afford college who want to go, less education=other countries with better educated people who will have better inovation and put us farther behind!