Florida university leaders offer state lawmakers tuition deal

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - State university presidents and student government leaders are offering Florida lawmakers a tuition deal.

They said on Wednesday in Tallahassee that they won't seek tuition increases next year if the Legislature agrees to spend $118 million more in state money on the 12-school State University System.

Gov. Rick Scott praised the proposal. He has staunchly opposed tuition increases but supported a $300 million spending reduction for the universities this year.

“We know Florida families want the best value possible from our higher education system, which means we have to make advanced degrees more affordable and more connected to students’ ability to get a great job when they graduate," Scott said in a prepared statement. "We are pleased to share this important goal with many of Florida’s finest higher education leaders who are committed to holding the line on tuition.”

Scott says he's looking forward to working closely with the presidents and student leaders as he puts together his budget recommendations and other proposals for the 2013 legislative session.

The announcement was part of the kickoff for a student-led campaign focused on uniting in support of more funding for higher education.