Education was a top issue for Washington's Gov. Chris Gregoire, a Democrat, but local critics often point out that she allowed tuition to double at the University of Washington since she took office in 2005.
Now, facing continued economic turmoil, Gregoire has recently signed off on a state budget that will cut $535 million, or 24%, from Washington's higher education budget over the next two years.
In an effort to help universities deal with that blow, she also signed a law earlier this month that will give the state's public universities the flexibility to each set their own tuition.
Previously, the legislature and governor could put a cap on the level public universities could raise their student fees.
The state budget estimates public colleges will increase their tuition by at least 16% in the fall semester. The University of Washington is already considering 20% hikes though.
