Public colleges in Louisiana faced with cuts from the state may have the option to raise tuition and fee rates thanks to lawmaker’s proposals.

The house and senate education committees approved bills that would allow college system management boards to set their own individual tuition and fees instead of allowing Louisiana Legislature to make the decision.

Budget gaps due to state cuts are the main issue that higher education leaders are pushing the legislation. Gov. Bobby Jindal’s budget proposal would try to cut and finance higher education to help close a $1.6 billion budget shortfall starting July 1. Colleges face a decrease in $600 million next year, which would reduce college systems’ state financing by 80 percent.