Professor Elam

This article suggests that the Tax Revolt is alive and well, it certainly was in Indianapolis. I suggest that the concept of what constitutes a tax needs to be exapanded.  For example UT Austin has proposed hiking tuition yet ANOTHER 13% over the next two years. UT Austin is the highest state tuition in Texas now at about $4,000 per semester.  This came after the legislature, denying them more state money and in the wake of a fee increase deemed unconsitutional by the AG, let UT set its own tuition.  Needless to say, that put the foxes in charge of the hen house. But…

Supposedly states support universities to improve education levels in the state.  If the state does not send them money, now the University raises money through their favorite source, you.  Is this not just another tax in disguise, your tuition?  Voters in the article I cited first are fed up with property taxes, how long till students register the same feeling about tuition?

Administrators idea of how to help is, raise the student loan limits. If there were ever an example of feeding the insatiable alligator, this is it!  Rather if we wanted to control out of control tuition, how about lowering loan limits, then only student cash would support increases in tuition and we would quickly discover just how elastic deamand for state education really is.  Your thoughts?