Fla. Senate panel OKs tuition increase

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - A Senate committee has approved a bill that would let Florida's public universities increase tuition up to 15 percent a year until it reaches the national average.

Five of the state's largest universities already a limited tuition option capped at 30 or 40 percent depending on the school.

The Senate Higher Education Committee unanimously voted for the bill (SB 762) that expand it to all 11 schools with the higher national average limit.

Gov. Charlie Crist, business leaders and university officials say Florida schools need to increase tuition, now among the lowest in the nation, to maintain and improve quality.

The bill also would earmark 30 percent of the differential tuition for need-based scholarships.