Capitol Annex’s Press Room

[Press Release From State Sen. Eddie Lucio, Jr. (D-Brownsville)]

Sen. Eddie Lucio, Jr. yesterday filed Senate Bill 1131 that would repeal tuition deregulation for higher education institutions in Texas and return control of setting tuition rates to the Legislature.

“In essence, my bill would freeze current college and university tuition rates at the 2006-07 levels,” said Sen. Lucio, who opposed the tuition deregulation bill that passed during the 78th Regular Legislative Session. “We cannot continue in the path we are headed. Students are being priced out of a college education.”

The statewide average for designated tuition for 15 credit hours in fall 2003, the last semester before tuition deregulation was implemented, was $625, and by fall 2006 it had risen to $1,125 according to estimates provided by the Higher Education Coordinating Board.

Since 2004, institutions have increased the total designated tuition charged to students from $51.8 million per year to $318.1 million for the 2006 year.

“I have been a college student for more than three years now, and I have never seen such an increase as the one we face today. With this increase, together with the high gas prices, it is making it even more difficult for students to continue with their higher education goal,” said Carlos A. Martinez, a student at the University of Texas at Brownsville.

“This bill truly attempts to make college more affordable not just for today’s students, but also for tomorrow’s students,” added Sen. Lucio.

Because most students will soon be pre-registered for fall classes, the bill would take effect immediately if it receives the necessary two-thirds vote in each chamber.