Today we approved two new trustees for the Central Michigan Board of Control. These two public servants will be strong additions to the university, and their commitment to students and education will go a long way toward making this great institution even better. But, unfortunately, last week they were faced with one their first acts as new regents to increase tuition for incoming students by over 20 percent. If you are like me, you received phone calls in your office about that action. That brings tuition up to over $9,100 per school year, and that doesn't even take into consideration room and board.

The reason they were forced to increase tuition by such exorbitant amounts is because of the inaction of this Legislature--inaction that has delayed payments and made budget planning absolutely impossible for schools. We need over $130 million more in new revenue to even meet the needs of the delayed payment, let alone the increases they would need for next year.

Let's be clear. The tuition increases that were made by universities are only a tax shift onto the students and families trying to make a better life for themselves and trying to make our state better. Our state's economy will not turn around unless we invest in our future workforce in higher education. We've made cuts; we're addressing reforms. Please look at the reality that we are facing and come to the table to discuss the much-needed revenues we need, as tuition will continue to skyrocket and we will price ourselves out of a better future for our children and our state.