The Washington Senate wants to hand tuition-setting authority over to the leaders of the three largest state universities.
The proposal, which was endorsed 29-19 late Monday night (MON), applies only to Washington State University, the University of Washington and Western Washington University.
The schools could raise tuition each year by no more than 14 percent, or 9 percent based on the previous 15 years. As a tradeoff, the universities must agree to yearly performance agreements and continue to fund financial aid grants at the current rate.
If it becomes law, the new policy would begin in the 2011-12 school year and last until 2017-18.
It now heads to the state House for further debate. (AP)
