Higher ed task force has ideas for Wash. lawmakers

A task force charged with finding stable money to pay for higher education in Washington state has some ideas it wants the Legislature to consider.

At the top of its list announced Monday: Find someone other than state government to pay the bill.

The task force formed by Gov. Chris Gregoire wants donations from individuals and corporations to finance a new scholarship fund. And it wants to allow state colleges to raise their own tuition to keep Washington tuition and fees comparable to charges at similar institutions in other states. Currently the Legislature sets tuition.