Rick Scott Argues Tuition Increases Mean More Taxes

Gov. Rick Scott penned a piece published at National Review on Friday in which he argued that raising college tuition is a tax increase. He also noted he recently used the line-item veto to scratch out tuition raises included in the recently passed state budget.

While many political leaders have been quick to join us in fighting tax and fee increases on almost any other front, our fight to hold the line on tuition has proven less popular, Scott wrote. But we owe it to the families in our state who are paying tuition today and those planning to pay tuition for the next generation of Floridians to be direct: Raising tuition is a tax increase. And, unfortunately, it is a tax increase that directly affects whether Floridians can achieve the American dream of earning a higher-education diploma.

The easy answer in government will always be to spend more money, Scott continued. But that doesnt mean its the right answer. In business, it is the company that can provide the highest-quality service at the lowest cost that succeeds. That is what we want for our higher-education system in Florida. The opportunities and dreams of future graduates are at stake, and we owe it to them to continue our fight against the tax increase of rising tuition.

This essay could have major consequences -- since Scott just accused the Republicans who crafted and passed the budget in the House and Senate of voting to raise taxes. With tensions already rising between Scott and the Legislature, this could only add to them.