Kentucky has been cutting funding for postsecondary education. Colleges and universities have been raising tuition and costs to offset those cuts. Affordability is becoming a greater issue every semester for Kentucky students.
Senator Dan Seum, Republican, Senate District 38 - Jefferson and Bullitt Counties- filed a bill to freeze college tuition and to limit "incidental fees" schools may charge until 2020.
SB 75 amends existing law as follows:
(b) 1. For the 2016-2017 through the 2019-2020 academic years, tuition for resident students shall not exceed the amount of tuition charged to resident students for the 2015-2016 academic year.
2. Tuition increases for resident students for the 2020-2021 academic year and thereafter are to be determined in consultation with the General Assembly;
ď˘Section 2. KRS 164.400 is amended to read as follows:
(1) For the 2016-2017 through the 2019-2020 academic years, incidental fees for resident students shall not exceed the amount of incidental fees charged to resident students for the 2015-2016 academic year.
In a press conference, Seum criticized Kentucky's colleges and universities. "I think it borders on criminal what the universities are doing to these kids," Seum said.
The bill is expected to get a hearing in the GOP controlled Kentucky Senate. It's fate in the Democratic controlled House is less certain.