Editorial: Tuition bill poses danger to higher education

Sometimes, you get the feeling that some Georgia lawmakers would rather be serving on the University System of Georgia Board of Regents, the 18-member body that oversees the state's 35 institutions of higher education.

Sure, because the university system is a major recipient of taxpayers' dollars, it's understandable that it would attract legislative attention. But, given that the legislature is restricted, by law, to simply allocating a lump sum to higher education - the system's chancellor and the regents allocate those funds to specific institutions - it's always worth a look when lawmakers embark on legislative initiatives that go beyond state allocations to higher education.

That's particularly true of House Resolution 383. Sponsored by Rep. Ed Rynders, R-Albany, and attracting a raft of Republican cosponsors, including Terry England, R-Auburn, the resolution attempts what would, at first glance, seem a worthwhile goal.

Briefly, the bill would put a proposed constitutional amendment in front of voters that would, if approved, limit increases in tuition and fees at system institutions to the rate of inflation for the preceding calendar year, unless those increases were approved by a joint resolution of the Georgia General Assembly.

What voter wouldn't want a chance at limiting tuition and fees at the state's public colleges and universities? Even voters who don't have children of their own have grandchildren, nieces, nephews and young acquaintances whose families they wouldn't want to see overburdened with tuition and other college costs.

Supporters of House Bill 383 almost certainly will sell it to their legislative colleagues - they'll need the approval of two-thirds of the 180 House members and the 56 members of the Senate - as a means of giving residents of Georgia, through their elected representatives, a way of rein

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Home Site Map Advertise For Sale Subscribe to our Monthly Email Newsletter	Attend Editorial: Tuition bill poses danger to higher education Sometimes, you get the feeling that some Georgia lawmakers would rather be serving on the University System of Georgia Board of Regents, the 18-member body that oversees the state's 35 institutions of higher education. Sure, because the university system is a major recipient of taxpayers' dollars, it's understandable that it would attract legislative attention. But, given that the legislature is restricted, by law, to simply allocating a lump sum to higher education - the system's chancellor and the regents allocate those funds to specific institutions - it's always worth a look when lawmakers embark on legislative initiatives that go beyond state allocations to higher education. That's particularly true of House Resolution 383. Sponsored by Rep. Ed Rynders, R-Albany, and attracting a raft of Republican cosponsors, including Terry England, R-Auburn, the resolution attempts what would, at first glance, seem a worthwhile goal. Briefly, the bill would put a proposed constitutional amendment in front of voters that would, if approved, limit increases in tuition and fees at system institutions to the rate of inflation for the preceding calendar year, unless those increases were approved by a joint resolution of the Georgia General Assembly. What voter wouldn't want a chance at limiting tuition and fees at the state's public colleges and universities? Even voters who don't have children of their own have grandchildren, nieces, nephews and young acquaintances whose families they wouldn't want to see overburdened with tuition and other college costs. Supporters of House Bill 383 almost certainly will sell it to their legislative colleagues - they'll need the approval of two-thirds of the 180 House members and the 56 members of the Senate - as a means of giving residents of Georgia, through their elected representatives, a way of rein Continue reading the rest of "Editorial: Tuition bill poses danger to higher education" by Athens Banner-Herald © 2009 http://onlineathens.com - Athens Banner-Herald - All rights reserved. Rate This Article: Comment on "Editorial: Tuition bill poses danger to higher education" Your Name Your Comments Verification Code: BILIE2 Enter Code: Editorial: Tuition bill poses danger to higher education Sometimes, you get the feeling that some Georgia lawmakers would rather be serving on the University System of Georgia Board of Regents, the 18-member body that oversees the state's 35 institutions of higher education. 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