State Senate panel OKs 'tuition flexibility'

OLYMPIA — After a bipartisan makeover, legislation to grant universities temporary tuition-setting authority appears to be making headway in the state Senate.

The Senate Higher Education and Workforce Development Committee unanimously passed Senate Bill 6562 on Wednesday with amendments that cap tuition increases and help safeguard students and their families from growing out-of pocket expenses.

The bill applies to the University of Washington, Western Washington University and Washington State University, allowing them to set resident undergraduate tuition rates from 2011 to 2018 without the Legislature's approval.

In her State of the State address, Gov. Chris Gregoire asked lawmakers to provide the institutions "tuition flexibility."

Two weeks ago, a public hearing was held to discuss four separate bills on the subject. Rising to the top is SB 6562, which permits the schools to raise tuition at an average annual compounded rate that may not exceed 9 percent over six years or 14 percent in any one year.

"My focus is adhering to those basic principles: protecting affordability, fostering accountability and ensuring quality," said the bill's sponsor, panel Chairman Derek Kilmer, D-Gig Harbor.

The tuition increases are meant to combat looming budget holes and protect quality. For the schools to get and maintain tuition-setting authority, an amendment requires the institutions to enter into performance agreements, which lawmakers hope will hold them accountable to the state and students.

Worries about accountability prompted state Sen. Paull Shin, D-Edmonds, to propose the 2018 sunset provision, allowing the universities to better endure the economic slump but not keep indefinite control over tuition.

An amendment borrowed from Sen. Joe Zarelli's higher-education bill stipulates that as tuition rises as a percentage of the state's median family income, the universities would have to waive tuition for more and more students.

"I am not really happy that it seems like higher ed is always the savings account for the state of Washington," said Senate Minority Leader Mike Hewitt, R-Walla Walla.

Gregoire's December budget included $90 million in cuts from colleges and would keep 12,300 low-income students out of school. Hewitt said Zarelli, R-Ridgefield, is helping to also address middle-income concerns.

"With Senator Zarelli's amendment, some of the issues that were heartburn for us — and that was the middle-income people who are really being left behind — are being addressed in this bill now." Hewitt said.

The measure is now before the Ways and Means Committee. A rally of university students is planned at the Capitol today.

Lillian Tucker: 360-236-8266 or ltucker@seattletimes.com