S.C. lawmakers reach philosophical rift over tuition freezes
COLUMBIA, S.C (WRDW/WAGT) - It’s a reality many families know very well: College tuition is not cheap.
South Carolina’s House of Representatives is debating the next state budget – and lawmakers want to implement another tuition freeze for in-state students.
But not everyone is on board – arguing higher education is not a core function of government.
“Rather than further subsidize the middle class and wealthy four-year-degree getters, again an oversaturated market. The market is not there for that. Basically this is a mismatch in priorities,” said Rep. Jordan Pace, R-Berkeley.
Current public-school tuition costs in South Carolina range between around $10,000 and $15,000 – not including other costs like books, and room and board.
The House budget proposal would give public colleges and universities money to freeze tuition for all students again next year – totaling to about $60 million – less than half of what the schools collectively requested for this.
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of the ultra-conservative Freedom Caucus say that’s still too much – and proposed to give that money instead to the South Carolina Department of Transportation – for bridge repairs.
But other lawmakers pointed out – their budget proposal already allocates $200 million for this – the amount SCDOT asked for.
“If we do not keep the in-state tuition down or frozen and these universities help us to help our families back home, they’ve got to come up with the money somewhere. So they’re either going to raise tuition, or, as Mr. Burns mentioned and as I don’t like, they’re going to start bringing in more out-of-state tuition. That’s just math, y’all,” said Rep. Nathan Ballentine, R-Lexington.
Ultimately the House voted to approve this money for tuition freezes.
But lawmakers are still debating the overall budget – and then in a few weeks, the Senate will debate its version of the spending plan.
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