Is a tuition increase the same as a tax increase?

Gov. Bobby Jindal’s “education reform” agenda for this year’s regular session is sort of like a three-legged policy stool, with its goals of allowing college tuition increases, freeing up campus purchasing operations and merging most of the state’s higher ed oversight boards. But one of these legs — the proposal to hike tuition and related fees — may be a touch short, some of the governor’s critics argue, and it causes the entire stool to wobble. In general, Jindal said in a major announcement late last month that he would be willing to permit colleges to boost their own tuition thresholds in exchange for better outcomes. Jindal started down this particular road during last year’s regular session when he ushered in the LA Grad Act, which grants colleges and universities increased autonomy and flexibility in exchange for a commitment to meet clearly defined statewide performance goals, including better graduation rates. The numbers paint a bleak picture: Over the past two years, roughly $315 million has been cut from higher education in Louisiana, about $290 in federal stimulus money expires this year and a 10% or so reduction — around $90 million — has long been expected from the 2011 regular session. Says Jindal spokesperson Kyle Plotkin: “The plan enhances the LA GRAD Act to help schools better manage their budgets and give them more tuition authority while driving improved outcomes for students.” To read the full story, click here.