Budget Cuts Could End O'Malley's Tuition Freeze

State looking to increase revenue as it makes hundreds of millions in cuts

State officials are signaling that Gov. Martin O'Malley's hallmark tuition freeze at public universities could end soon as Maryland grapples with a budget crisis that shows few signs of easing.

"I think the time has come to look at moderate tuition increases," said state Treasurer Nancy K. Kopp at a Wednesday meeting of the State Board of Public Works, where $281.5 million in midyear cuts to higher education and other agencies were approved.

O'Malley, a Democrat who sits on the spending panel, told her that many agree. The freeze - a campaign pledge that O'Malley has honored since his election in 2006 - was "not meant to last forever," he said.

Comptroller Peter Franchot, the third member of the board, later quipped that it was the most he'd seen O'Malley "thaw" on one of his signature accomplishments.

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