Legislative Budget Impasse Stalls Tuition Decisions At State Colleges

Tuesday, May 16th 2006, 6:07 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- An impasse over the state budget is forcing state colleges and universities to put off decisions on tuition hikes and forcing students to end the spring semester without knowing whether they can afford to return in the fall.

The uncertainty is happening because lawmakers have to agree on how much revenue they will allocate to higher education. Officials at Oklahoma's 25 colleges and universities need that information before they can decide on tuition rates.

Governor Brad Henry has proposed a compromise state budget plan that includes a record budget for higher education, but leaders of the House and Senate have not committed to the program.

If it's approved, state Treasurer Scott Meacham says tuition increases would average less then 6 percent.

State Regents for Higher Education are seeking $123-million more than state lawmakers appropriated last year. The state Senate has approved about $87-million more for higher education but the House has proposed only about $25-million in new spending.