Bill Description: House Bill 79 would increase the community college tuition cap by 30%.

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Does it expand the government's bureaucratic monopoly on education, reduce family and student choice, or finance education based on an institution or system? Conversely, does it reduce government coercion in education, expand education choice, or finance education based on the student rather than the institution?

House Bill 79 would amend Section 33-2110, Idaho Code, to increase the tuition cap for community colleges from $2,500 annually to $3,250 annually, a 30% increase. Because the law limits community colleges to a maximum annual tuition increase of 10%, it would take at least three years for the full 30% increase to be realized. 

Community colleges are government institutions, heavily subsidized with tax dollars, that compete with private-sector alternatives. Their growth and spending increases must be recognized as expansions of government. 

The fiscal note for House Bill 79 suggests that the proposed tuition hike "could relieve pressure on Community College Property Tax dependency," but nothing in the bill would require or promote such an outcome. 

The bill's statement of purpose doesn't even align with this wishful thinking on property taxes, instead lamenting that current funding levels prevent community colleges from paying faculty "competitive salaries" and acquiring "necessary equipment."

The purpose of House Bill 79 is not to reduce taxes, it is to provide more revenue so these government institutions can increase their spending.

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