Capping tuition and fees at state universities then limiting future increases to the rate of inflation will be considered by the legislature next year.
Brazos County state senator Charles Schwertner, who filed the proposal (Senate Bill 233), also says state lawmakers have to also discuss increasing the state’s share of paying tuition, which hasn’t changed since 2003.
Schwertner says designated tuition…which is what the board of regents charge, has risen over the last 11 years statewide by a collective 222 percent, while the rate of inflation was 27 percent.
Schwertner says fiscally conservatively responsible institutions, like Texas A&M, will be able to continue to succeed on their current business model.
The senator also filed a proposal (Senate Bill 232) waiving sales taxes on college textbooks at designated times at the start of each semester.
Click below for comments from state senator Charles Schwertner, visiting with WTAW’s Bill Oliver.
Click HERE to read Senate Bill 233.
Click HERE to read Senate Bill 232.
News release from State Senator Charles Schwertner:
Senator Charles Schwertner (R-Georgetown) filed legislation to make higher education more affordable by addressing the dramatic cost growth at Texas’ public colleges and universities. Schwertner’s SB 233 would cap tuition and fees at their current levels and limit any future increases to no more than the rate of inflation.
“The pursuit of a higher education in Texas has never been more daunting, and as tuition and fees at our public universities continue to climb, the dream of attaining a college degree is becoming a nightmare for more and more Texas students,” said Senator Schwertner. “I think the legislature has a responsibility to consider whether the deregulation policies enacted over a decade ago still make sense for Texas students.”
Since the legislature’s decision to deregulate tuition in 2003, tuition and fees at Texas public universities have more than doubled and designated tuition (the portion of tuition set directly by the universities) has increased an astounding 222%. These dramatic increases in tuition and fees have far outpaced the 27% growth in inflation over the same timeframe.
“Are we really expected to believe that the value of an undergraduate degree is worth twice what it was only a decade ago?” asked Schwertner. “It’s time to demand that our public universities live within their considerable means and work to provide affordable and attainable higher education for Texas students.”
In another step make higher education more affordable, Senator Schwertner filed SB 232 to exempt the purchase of college textbooks from the state sales tax during defined periods at the beginning of each semester.