HELENA – Gov. Brian Schweitzer announced yesterday that he will propose a tuition freeze to the 2013 legislature as part of his last biennial budget submission. This will be the third time the Governor has proposed a tuition freeze.
“My administration has cut more taxes for homeowners and small businesses than any other in history. With strong revenues and a healthy savings we need to make sure the tuition tax doesn’t increase on Montana families and students. Make no mistake about it, a tuition increase is a tax increase,” the Governor said.
The tuition freeze is contingent on the 2013 Legislature adopting the Governor’s $34 million recommended funding level.
Montana was recognized as having the fastest growing college educated workforce in the nation under Schweitzer, according to the U.S. Department of Education. The report shows Montana increasing the number of college graduates by 3.2 percent from 2009 to 2010 – more than double any other state. The national average is half a percent.
“If we want to be competitive in a global economy and create higher paying jobs, we need to make sure Montana students have access to an affordable world class education,” the Governor said. “This tuition freeze is a part of what we need to invest in to ensure our economic success.”
