House Education Committee Chairman Rep. Bill Proctor, R-St. Augustine, who was directed to oversee the House efforts to reform education, released the following statement on his committee’s approval Tuesday of the State Universities of Academic and Research Excellence and National Pre-eminence Act:

“For the last several months, the House Education Committee has been engaged in a dialogue with leaders in Florida's public system of higher education with the goal of outlining policy changes that will allow Florida’s top public universities to better compete with public institutions across the country and around the world. 

“Providing exceptional universities the flexibility to set tuition at differentiated and market rates will allow them to achieve specific research goals, hire outstanding instructors and establish instructional programs that distinguish these universities from their peers.

“I am grateful to the members of the Florida House as well as the Board of Governors and the numerous educational leaders who helped make this important change possible. By passing the State Universities of Academic and Research Excellence and National Pre-eminence Act today, we are demonstrating a willingness to reject the status quo of the current system and instead establish a program that rewards universities for meeting specified standards of excellence.

"This bill takes a positive step toward ensuring Florida becomes home to the top 10 research universities that attract the best talent from around the world.”