Lawmakers Abandon Tuition Proposal

Bonner and Kootenai County residents will not be able to attend Spokane County colleges at in-state prices after the Washington Legislature abandoned the proposal Friday.

However, Idaho Sens. Gordon Crow, R-Hayden, and Gary Schroeder, R-Moscow, are still worried Washington schools will raid North Idaho College and the University of Idaho by offering reduced tuition to their students.

“We have reciprocal agreements with Washington for certain schools already in place,” Schroeder said. “If they want to discuss changes they can do that. But to introduce legislation before bothering to talk with us is not the way to do it.”

Even though Washington has shelved its tuition plan, Crow said Idaho lawmakers may pass legislation giving the state Board of Education authority to respond if the issue resurfaces this session.

, DataTimes