WBRZ - Baton Rouge

The Louisiana House will debate a proposal for lawmakers to give up their authority over public
college tuition increases if the schools improve their performance.

The bill gained approval Monday from the House Appropriations Committee - but only after lawmakers tightened requirements further and gave higher education leaders a tongue-lashing about being uncooperative on providing useful budget information.

The tuition increase bill faces a tough road to final legislative passage.

It would require support from two-thirds of the House and Senate before it could reach Jindal's desk.

The measure would let schools substantially raise what they charge their students if the colleges meet certain performance standards, including improved graduation rates and better job
skills preparation.

They'd have to make some of those improvements before they could even begin to raise tuition, even as they've received budget cuts.