Staff editorial: Keep funding flowing - Diamondback, University of Maryland

But while students don’t have much to fear about their tuition bill next year, there is something to be worried about: The state senate has expressed support for a spending freeze that would halt any additional state support for the university until 2012. Such an irrational step by lawmakers could make this year’s increase the start of a trend instead of an outlier. The state, much like the rest of the country, faces serious budgetary problems. But the actions of both parties in the state to shift toward fiscal policies that ignore any possible repercussions is dangerous. Not only would freezing funding for higher education open the possibility for further tuition hikes at state universities, legislators also leave out the possibility the economy could improve, allowing the state to increase funding.