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Iowa Gov. Branstad supports tuition freeze for universities

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — A leader of Iowa's public universities is praising Gov. Terry Branstad for supporting funding to pay for their plans to freeze tuition rates for in-state undergraduate students.

Board of Regents President Craig Lang said Tuesday that Branstad's budget proposal is "a tremendous win for Iowa's students and families" and vowed to lobby lawmakers to ensure the funds are approved.

The regents voted last month to keep tuition at current levels next school year for Iowa undergrads at the University of Iowa, Iowa State University and University of Northern Iowa. But the freeze is contingent on a 2.5 percent funding increase for the universities and a special $4 million UNI appropriation.

Branstad included both elements in his budget Tuesday to enable the freeze, which would be the first in 30 years.

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