Think tank champions tuition breaks

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) -- Rhode Island think tank the Economic Progress Institute is praising Governor Lincoln Chafee's proposals to increase state spending on higher education, and the freezing of tuition for the 2013-2014 school year at URI -- and calling on lawmakers to support the plans.

The Institute cites a new report by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities in Washington, D.C., which says the increase of the average tuition at Rhode Island's public four-year colleges was the 7th highest increase in the country. Since 2008, tuition grew by $2,907 per student per year in Rhode Island.

Nationwide, the average increase was $1,850 per student.

The Institute said in a news release Tuesday Rhode Island lawmakers need to increase state investments in higher education by $6 million. A large and growing share of jobs will require college-educated workers, and the only way to make sure Rhode Island students are prepared is to keep higher education affordable, the Institute said.