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OPINION
| October 8, 2003
Guest Column
Tax in Disguise
Tuition deregulation is the state’s
attempt to save money while “keeping promises” of no
new taxes
A recent article in the Star-Telegram detailing
UTA’s proposed tuition increases of roughly 25 percent was
troubling and frustrating enough to inspire me to write this column
for my alma mater.
It’s troubling because many of my constituents are already
struggling to pay for their UTA education. Sadly, it will soon be
out of their reach.
It’s frustrating because I’ll bet many students and
parents are unaware of the politics behind these drastic tuition
increases. Consider this a brief political and economic primer.
You all know that in the 2002 statewide elections, Republicans gained
control of both legislative chambers as well as the governorship
and lieutenant governorship. They ran on a political pledge of “no
new taxes” and have made a lot of noise lately about their
success in delivering this promise. Perhaps some of you are already
sensing where I’m going with this.
One way Republicans kept this pledge, at least on paper, was by
“deregulating” college tuition. As your interim Provost
Dana Dunn so succinctly pointed out, the problem for you (and, perhaps,
your parents) is that “the state is paying less, and we must
pay more.”
What does this mean? I hate to be the one to have to say it, fellow
Mavericks, but you’ve been taxed. You’ve been taxed
hard.
Yes, college is expensive, and costs are rising. But rather than
admit it’s in our state’s best interest to make higher
education available to a greater number of our residents through
affordable tuition and a shared tax burden (That’s right —
the business community also benefits from a better educated populace),
Republican leadership wants you and your parents to shoulder more
of the cost instead.
This is, in reality, a middle-class tax. Unfortunately, you’d
better get used to it. Your local taxes and fees are increasing
just to meet the minimum services citizens demand.
So, next time you hear the political mantra of “no new taxes,”
think twice. Chances are, it will be those who can afford it the
least who end up paying the bill.
— State Rep. Lon Burnam for district 90, which covers part
of Tarrant County.
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