The second session of Oklahoma’s 53rd Legislature opens today with more than 2,700 bills and resolutions to consider in 90 days, one of which may change who decides to raise tuition in Oklahoma.

Sen. Jim Wilson, D-Tahlequah, filed Senate Bill 1062, which proposes giving control of tuition decisions to the Legislature rather than the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education. The regents gained power over tuition in 1991 with limits and then complete control in 2003, according to a press release.

“All of our efforts are in vain when a lot of citizens simply can’t afford to attend college because tuition continues to rise at a staggering rate, far surpassing the rate of inflation,” Wilson said in a release. “That’s why I think it’s time for the Legislature to take back the responsibility of making tuition decisions.”

The regents would still be able to suggest changes to tuition and fees in higher education institutions, but the Legislature would have final say. Currently, the regents have to submit reports to the Legislature of all actions taken the previous year, but the Legislature does not get a say, according to the release.

Since 2003, the regents have increased tuition all but one school year by an average of 5.8 percent each time, according to the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education. These raises are still below national averages and keep Oklahoma as one of the most affordable states for higher education, regents spokesman Ben Hardcastle said.

Majority Floor Leader Mike Schulz, R-Altus, said he does not see the bill passing because the regents understand tuition better than the Legislature and do have the best interests of the students and colleges in mind.

“At times that sounds like a real good idea ... but when you stand back and look over all this policy it makes more sense to allow that institution to be in control of that side of the funding,” Schulz said.

Speaker of the House Kris Steele, R-Shawnee, said he agreed the Legislature should not gain control of increases and most states have trusted separate bodies, such as the regents, to make these decisions.

Oklahoma ranked 12th in the nation last year in cuts to higher education funding, according to a report by The Associated Press. In his State of the Union address, President Barack Obama called on states not to cut funding and for college presidents not to raise tuition.

“On one hand he said that the federal government wasn’t going to spend any more money on higher education because they’re broke, but then he said the states are going to have to spend more money on higher education,” Schulz said. “I’m thinking, ‘Mr. President, how are we going to do that? We’re all broke, too.’”

The Legislature will most likely not cut funding again this year, but increases are not likely either, both Schulz and Steele said.

The state budget is at a standstill, Schulz said. There has been an increase of 10 to 12 percent in state collections — which is more than expected — but these extra funds are being used to make up for money spent in the past.