Bill tackles soaring college costs


A bill requiring public universities to offer a fixed-cost degree passes the House with bipartisan support.

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BY JACOB PALMER | DIGITAL NEWS EDITOR

A bill requiring public universities to offer a fixed-cost degree passed the House with bipartisan support.

The summary of HB 2973 A:

Requires public universities to offer two or more bachelor’s degrees at cost of $10,000 or less] work toward offering baccalaureate degrees at fixed cost significantly less than cost of traditional baccalaureate degree at university.Establishes degree requirements.Requires public universities to first offer low-cost degree programs for 2019-2020 academic year.Requires community colleges to develop streamlined transfer and dual enrollment programs.Requires Higher Education Coordinating Commission to analyze options and feasibility of offering affordable baccalaureate degrees at public universities. Lists factors commission must consider as part of analysis.Sunsets July 1, 2016. Declares emergency, effective on passage.

The bill is sponsored by Gene Whisnant (R-Sunriver), Jennifer Williamson (D-Portland), Mark Johnson (R-Hood River), and Jeff Reardon (D-Happy Valley).

From the Statesman Journal:

After the House adopted the bill in its third reading Wednesday, the Senate is scheduled to hear it for the first time on Thursday, April 9.

According to a press release from Whisnant’s office, he studied legislation in Texas, Florida and Wisconsin in their creation of $10,000 four-year degrees. Bill sponsors reportedly collaborated with the Higher Education Coordinating Commission to get input from public universities about affordable degrees or pathways.