TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - Gov. Charlie Crist wants to give each of Florida's 11 state universities the power to raise tuition by up to 15 percent every year.

An increase would have to be approved by a university's board of trustees and the Board of Governors, which oversees all the schools, Crist said Thursday.

The Legislature now sets tuition although the Board of Governors is challenging that authority in a lawsuit. Lawmakers would have to approve Crist's proposal.

The governor, who previously has opposed tuition increases, was surrounded by university president and members of the Board of Governors as he announced the plan.

Florida's tuition is among the nation's lowest ranging from about $3,400 to just under $4,000 for in-state students.

The increases would not be covered by the popular Bright Futures program.


(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)