GOVERNOR signs tuition bill

<br>OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Legislation that authorizes colleges and universities to raise their own tuition has been signed into law by Gov. Frank Keating. <br><br>The measure transfers tuition-raising power

Tuesday, May 22nd 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Legislation that authorizes colleges and universities to raise their own tuition has been signed into law by Gov. Frank Keating.

The measure transfers tuition-raising power from the Legislature to state regents, who could raise in-state tuition by a maximum of 7 percent a year for the next five years.

The bill also authorizes raising out-of-state tuition by 9 percent yearly.

Keating signed the measure Monday _ a week after it received final passage in the House.

Higher Education Chancellor Hans Brisch has said the tuition bill would give higher education about $15 million the first year if all colleges raised tuition by the full 7 percent.

A budget agreement unveiled by legislative leaders and Gov. Frank Keating last week allocates an additional $34 million for state colleges and universities.

The agreement included an extra $109 million for education, including $61.3 million for public elementary and secondary schools and $5.3 million for career technology.