A new study via a liberal think tank ranks Washington State second worst in the nation for tuition increases since the beginning of the recession in 2008. But, that’s not all.
The Seattle Times,
“After the recession hit in 2008, Washington jacked up in-state tuition at the state’s four-year schools by $4,045. That’s an average 61 percent increase, in inflation-adjusted dollars. Only one state raised tuition more – Arizona, by $4,493. Lest anyone be disappointed that Washington missed top honors, this state had higher tuition to begin with, and the increase puts this state at an average $10,811, well ahead of Arizona. So Washington, take a bow.”
The liberal think tank’s explanation of and solution to the skyrocketing tuition increase?
The Seattle Times points out that the liberal think tank demonstrates the typical “progressive way of thinking” by placing the blame on “state legislatures for their reluctance to raise taxes in the middle of a recession or when business was just starting to recover.” The think tank’s solution is also a typical liberal response: “tax the usual suspects — making big corporations pay, closing business tax loopholes, and so forth…”
Awww… the creative minds of liberals at work: taxes and more taxes.
During the 2014 legislative session, Democrats actually attempted to remove the largely Republican supported freeze on tuition hikes. Thanks to the State Senate Majority Coalition Caucus (MCC), they failed.
In fact, thanks to the MCC, tuition rates have not increased “since the 2012-2013 school year.” During the last two legislative sessions, under the leadership of the MCC, state lawmakers have begun the process of making improvements to higher education spending. They managed to increase “higher education spending by 15.5 percent, an average $872 a student” by re-prioritizing the state budget… all without raising taxes.
What must the regents do? They’ve already shifted the student ratio from low paying high cost in state students to the higher margin foreign and out of state enrollees. They seek to maximize federal grants by researching the most
areas of inguiry, like green energy and climate change. Professors who rake in the most in federal grants demand the highest compensation packets – we have to compete.
What must the regents do? They’ve already shifted the student ratio from low paying high cost in state students to the higher margin foreign and out of state enrollees. They seek to maximize federal grants by researching the most profitable areas of inguiry, like green energy and climate change. Professors who rake in the most in federal grants demand the highest compensation packets – we have to compete.