Governor Rick Scott is telling the Florida Board of Governors he doesn't support the tuition increases being asked for by the state's universities.
Scott says he wants a great university system for better job growth, but he wants that done without institutions hiking up their tuition.
According to Florida Today, Scott said, "We’re not in a system where we can afford a bunch of ‘nice to haves.' "
Florida's public universities lost $300 million in state funding this year -- a budget Scott signed into law.
State University System Chancellor Frank Brogan said even with the tuition hikes, the universities can't make up for the cuts.
If all the universities raised their tuition for this upcoming school year to the maximum 15 percent, that would only make up $100 million.
Most universities have asked for the full tuition increase but the University of Florida is asking for a 9 percent increase and the University of South Florida is asking for an 11 percent increase.
Scott says it is not hypocritical to sign off on the budget cuts but oppose tuition hikes.
He says schools could absorb the cuts by dipping into their budget reserves and cutting costs.
The Board of Governors is planned to vote on tuition rates Thursday.
