December 11, 2009

REP. CANDELARIA QUESTIONS CSU TUITION INCREASE

State Representative Juan Candelaria (D-New Haven) Vice-chair of the legislature's Higher Education Committee, today expressed his frustration over the recent announcement by the Connecticut State University System Board of Trustees that tuition for all four state universities will increase by 6.3%.

"This definitely is the wrong time to raise tuition fees," Candelaria said. "We should be looking to encourage more students and citizens in general to pursue higher education, considering the challenging economic times we are facing, so they are better prepared to explore new career opportunities."

He added, "More and more people are finding the need to increase their skills and switch professions due to the weak job market and now we are limiting the prospects of those who are already struggling to move ahead. This is just more bad news for our path to economic recovery," Candelaria said.

The increase will take effect at the beginning of the fall 2010 semester.

Juan Candelaria represents New Haven's 95th Assembly District. He is Deputy Majority Whip, and vice chair of the Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee. He is also a member of the Appropriations and Regulations Review Committees.