Senator Eliot Shapleigh - El Paso, Texas

A student at the University of Texas, El Paso conducts an experiment

Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst has it right: Higher education in Texas needs more state money to thrive. He also is correct when he says that more state money should put the big tuition hikes of recent years on hold. That way, more Texas families should be able to afford to send their children to college.

Last week, Dewhurst said he will ask state senators to increase funding for public colleges and universities by 10 percent for the next biennium. That would mean an additional $2 billion for higher education.

During the current two-year budget cycle, the state has spent a little more than $18 billion on higher education, but the state-assisted schools say that isn't enough. They have taken every opportunity to raise tuition as much as possible.

It costs a lot of money to run a college or a university. Because the state's share of that cost has been dropping in recent decades, it is only natural that tuition and fees have to go up to help make up the difference.

But the increases in tuition and fees have priced higher education out of the reach of far too many Texas families. For many, their children either don't go to college or they go and face a mountain of student-loan debt that will take years to repay after they graduate.

Dewhurst understands that it is to the benefit of all Texans for more young people to get a college education. Of course, those who do get a college education benefit, reportedly earning at least $1 million more over their lifetime than those who don't go to college. But a better-educated work force makes Texas more attractive to businesses, particularly those that pay higher salaries. That means more people employed in better jobs, buying more expensive homes and, ultimately, more taxes for communities, counties, school districts and the state.

If schools of higher education are to receive more money from the state - as they have been seeking for many years - they must be willing to hold the line on tuition increases.

Nationwide, the cost of tuition and fees at public universities - not including housing, food, clothing, books and entertainment - was $5,836 a year, a 26 percent increase since 2002-2003. It isn't quite as bad in Texas, although it soon could be. The average cost of tuition and fees at Texas public colleges and universities is "only" $5,327, but that is a 40 percent increase since 2002-2003, when schools were allowed to raise tuition without first asking the Legislature.

That may still be a bargain compared to private schools, but is beyond the reach of many Texas families.

Since all of us benefit from higher education, it seems only fair that all of us share in the cost of educating the future leaders and workers of this state.

We hope legislators listen.