Lawmakers agree to let universities set tuition rates

Lawmakers say they've come to an agreement in principle on a higher-education bill that would give the state's five public universities and The Evergreen State College authority to set in-state undergraduate tuition for the next four years.

The legislation would help four-year schools make up some of the steep cuts being proposed in higher-education funding. It also would provide some financial aid for middle-class students to help them cover the higher tuition costs.