State clears way for tuition hikes

University of Washington campus (Wikimedia Commons photo by Joe Mabel)

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Story Published: May 18, 2009 at 8:27 PM PDT

By Associated Press

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) - Gov. Chris Gregoire has given the official OK for higher university tuition.

Gregoire signed the bill Monday as part of the plan for fixing an estimated $9 billion state budget shortfall through 2011.

The measure removes the current 7 percent cap on annual tuition increases for Washington state resident undergraduates. The state budget, scheduled to be signed by Gregoire on Tuesday, puts the new tuition cap at 14 percent for each of the next two years.

The higher tuition rates are meant to help universities deal with big cuts in state spending.

Each four-year university will set its own tuition rate. Last week, Washington State University's Board of Regents approved the full increase for the next two years.

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