Is it time to restructure higher education?

The legislature is currently considering numerous proposals to grant higher education institutions expanded tuition authority. The proposals have received mixed support from the state's 4-year institutions. In light of the state's long-term budget outlook, serious consideration must be given to reforming the way the state finances higher education. The Washington Policy Center believes the state's four-year universities need to be empowered to have more control over their budget and finances and be less dependent on taxpayer subsidies. One potential model is to allow the state's universities to transition to business enterprise status. In 2004, Colorado and Japan moved in this direction . . . READ MORE