For Immediate Release
6/30/09

Education Committee Reports Out Revised Higher Education Measure

HARRISBURG – The Senate Education Committee endorsed today legislation sponsored by Senator Jeffrey E. Piccola (R-15), Chairman of the Committee, which would take another step toward addressing the issue of college affordability by establishing a newly created commission to consider tuition control proposals and other measures to improve college affordability.

Under a revised version of Senate Bill 881, the Tuition Control Study Commission would be created.  The independent commission would be responsible for examining the costs of a college education for students in all sectors of higher education and determine ways by which Pennsylvania may authorize controls on annual tuition increases.  Following the commission’s study, the group would be required to report its findings to the General Assembly. 

"My legislation recognizes the many diverse and unique strengths and interests of the state’s four sectors of higher education – our State System of Higher Education, state-related universities, community colleges, and finally our independent universities and colleges – and their various perspectives on college affordability.  In order to move this process along in the Legislature and establish some level of reasonable tuition controls in the near future, we determined there must be a general level of consensus among all parties," said Piccola.

The thirteen members to serve on the commission would include: The Chairman and Minority Chairman of the Senate and House of Representatives’ Education Committees; The Secretary for the Department of Education; The Chairman of the State Board of Education; The Chief Executive of the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA); four appointments by the Chairman of the State Board of Education representing the various sectors in higher education; and two current college or university students appointed by the Governor.

"The information gathered from this study will guide future legislative consideration over the establishment of a long-term tuition control policy and help provide solutions that can be supported by our four sectors of higher education.  Pennsylvanians cannot continue to wait for relief on the escalating costs of college, which is why we must act now to help move this process along," Piccola added.

Piccola first introduced legislation focusing on higher education affordability earlier this year in response to the Governor’s proposal to fund tuition relief by legalizing and taxing video poker machines.  His previous version of Senate Bill 881 included tuition controls and accountability measures for recipients of PHEAA grants.

Contact:

Colleen Greer
(717) 787-6801

Additional Information:
Education

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