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Health & Fitness

Students are feeling the impact of higher-education cuts

Yesterday, Katherine Long of The Seattle Times writes an informative report on how college tuition hikes are putting the squeeze on middle-class students. She describes how state cuts hurt students seeking to attend a public college or university.  She reports on the plight of Ruth Ferguson, Elizabeth Pring, Christina Xiao, Josh Grandinetti and other U.W. students who are finding it hard to finance their education. 

College students are feeling the impact of a cut-education policy initiated by Governor Gregoire and Democratic leaders in the legislature.  The policy involves shifting more of the cost of tuition to upper- and middle-income students and their families through tuition hikes.  Low-income students continue to be eligible for tuition assistance. 

Here is how the policy works. In 2009, Democrats passed HB 2344, “An act relating to undergraduate resident tuition” and sponsored by Rep. Kathy Haigh (D-Shelton), to allow public universities and colleges to increase sharply tuition costs to students in the 2009-10 and 2010-11 school years.  Minority Republicans voted against increasing costs to students and their families.  Governor Gregoire signed the bill on May 18, 2009. 

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In the 2009-11 budget lawmakers reduced General Fund operating spending on Higher Education by appropriating $430 million less than the previous budget level.  Unlike most program “cuts” which involve reductions in the rate of spending increase, these were real-world cuts, reducing higher education spending from $3.1 billion to $2.7 billion. 

In 2011 the legislature passed ESSHB 1795, euphemistically called the “Higher Education Opportunity Act,” calling on public colleges and universities to raise the tuition they charge students and their families again.  Governor Gregoire signed the bill on May 25, 2011. 

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In 2012 state leaders cut higher education spending by a further $363 million, reducing General Fund state funding to colleges and universities from $2.7 billion to $2.3 billion. 

All of Governor Gregoire’s cuts to higher education were enacted by Democratic majorities in the legislature.  In line with the policy to reduce state aid, public colleges and universities dramatically increased tuition rates on students and their families. 

            • Tuition at the U.W. increased from $5,286 in 2004–05 to $12,383 in 2012–13, a rise of 134% in eight years.

            • Tuition at WSU increased from $4,836 in 2004-05 to $9,886 in 2012-13, a rise of 104% in eight years. 

Inflation over the same period was about 22%. 

Ruth, Elizabeth, Christina and Josh were in middle school when elected leaders initiated a policy of cutting higher education, but they are certainly feeling the impact now.

More information on state education policy can be found in our recent study “Governor Gregoire’s Education Legacy.” 

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