Washington Legislature cuts state tuition by 15-20 percent

SEATTLE (AP) — A decision this week to cut tuition for Washington state's public universities by 15 to 20 percent over the next two years is a rare move that national experts believe could influence other states as they come out from under the recession.

The state budget and the tuition-policy proposal both await the governor's signature.

Since the recession began, Washington state has been one of the top 10 states for both tuition increases and decreases in state dollars going to higher education, Harnisch said.

"Lowering tuition is a great step in providing crucial relief to American families," said Hill, R-Redmond, noting that college students in Washington are graduating with an average of $25,000 in student loan debt.