On Monday, two Madison state representatives proposed a bill that would shield students who receive financial aid from tuition hikes. The plan put forth by Democratic Reps. Spencer Black and Joe Parisi has a projected initial cost of $27 million and would have the state cover the cost of future tuition increases for qualifying students.

We believe this measure would improve accessibility to University of Wisconsin System schools for low-income families, and we support increased state efforts toward that end. Nonetheless, given the state?s expected $400 million revenue shortfall due to a stagnating national economy, it would be wise for the state to limit expenditures that are not absolutely necessary. The $27 million cost estimate will likely rise in the future as tuition rates continue their steady climb.

While in-state tuition has more than doubled over the past decade, the situation has stabilized somewhat, as last year?s hike was $330. While that news certainly wasn’t welcome to many cash-strapped students, the relatively modest increase wasn’t unexpected and probably didn’t break any backs.

Messrs. Black and Parisi maintain that this legislation will be a boon for the state in the long run, citing the burden a graduate?s debt places on the economy.

“The way you grow an economy is to reduce debt and invest in your people,” Parisi said Monday.

This legislation would help UW maintain, if not move forward, its economic diversity, but in budget negotiations, such a plan may come at the expense of a UW budget that administrators agree is tight. It is vital that this proposal be debated with fiscal responsibility as a chief concern. Assessing the feasibility of this plan and its long-term impact on the state budget during the 2009-10 biennium is the best course of action for the state at this juncture.