(KFDX)
Texas lawmakers expect to be busy now that the 81st Legislative Session is underway. One hot topic they could tackle is a possible tuition freeze at state colleges and universities.

Back in 2003, schools were allowed to set their own rates, and many universities enacted a tuition hike each year. Early this week we spoke with officials at Midwestern who say freezing tuition would be bad news for the university, but state representatives say something needs to be done for Texas students without hurting the school

MSU President Jesse Rogers says “It would be very difficult on the university in terms of its quality and what we’re able to do if our tuition were frozen

State universities like Midwestern rely on tuition hikes to pay for salaries, new equipment and the rising cost of operations. Freezing tuition could be bad for business.

Rogers says, “Our basic cost with no increases in salaries with no new equipment no new computers nothing just keep the budget flat we would need our costs would go up two and half million dollars we’d gain nothing unless we have that much of an increase.”

“Many Texas families are asking for the re-regulation to some degree of tuition. That’s fine we need to do that,” Farabee says.

Tuition at many universities has gone up 57 percent over the past 6 years. Midwestern State set a cap at a 5 percent increase each year.

Farabee says it’s important to balance what’s good for students, and what’s good for the schools. Picking up the slack could be the taxpayers.

“It’s not as simple as just saying hey let’s freeze tuition for the time being. Their bills will continue to go up over time, so the State of Texas will have to take responsibility for those. I think that’s something we all understand and expect to do,” Farabee says.

Lawmakers expect to spend lots of time on the tuition issue. Rep. Farabee says legislators will have to draw a fine line between helping families and making sure state universities can do business as usual.