Lawmakers Asked To Consider Limits On TOPS Program

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — The cost of Louisiana'sfree college tuition program called TOPS is soaring to $235 million next year. State lawmakers are being asked to consider whether it's time to put the brakes on the state's generosity to college students — or at least some limitations.

Study groups have repeatedly suggested changes to TOPS. But the proposals run into strong opposition because the program is popular among Louisianaparents.

Republican Sen. Dan "Blade" Morrish, of Jennings, is asking lawmakers to limit increases in the growth of the program, saying that without cost controls, TOPS might become too expensive for the state to maintain.

He'll make his pitch to lawmakers in the legislative session that begins March 10.

The proposal is a long-shot at best, facing opposition from Gov. Bobby Jindal and parents.

Senate Bill 34 can be found at www.legis.la.gov