Local lawmakers are reacting to talks of tuition hikes and the possible use of state funds to help Michigan State University pay for a $500 million settlement to Nassar survivors.
FOX 47's Cryss Walker caught up with some state lawmakers who say MSU should not rely on tax payers and students to carry the expense.
Michigan State University has to sign a big check for the Nassar settlement but the question is, “who's going to foot the bill?”
“Let's not have them go towards the tuition hikes, let’s not have them dip into tax payer money”, said State Representative Klint Kesto.
“But I think we heard today in our testimony that unfortunately it may come down to tax payer money.”
A move that Senator Rick Jones says will not be supported by the Senate.
“There will be no state funding for this settlement and the Senate will absolutely fight that”, said Sen. Jones.
So, where will the money come from?
Senator Curtis Hertel says the real answer might be a hard truth.
Senator curtis hertel, (d)
“I think in reality somebody's money is going to have to pay for it”, said Sen. Hertel.
“I think that legislators that have talked about not using state money are frankly being political and not being real.”
Senator Hertel says that MSU could face strong consequences if the university chooses to raise tuition above inflation.
“We have a tuition cap in Michigan”, Hertel explained.
“If they want their money from the state, they're not going to be able to raise tuition pass the cap."
