A proposed state constitutional amendment that would have granted Louisiana higher education management boards more autonomy in setting tuition rates and fee amounts failed in Tuesday’s election, earning only 43 percent approval from voters.

Currently, higher education boards must obtain a two-thirds majority vote of approval from the state Legislature before taking such actions.

The proposed amendment received the backing of several state higher education leaders, including Louisiana Higher Education Commissioner Joseph Rallo and LSU President F. King Alexander, as well as business lobbying group Louisiana Business and Industry.

Proponents of the proposed amendment argued it was only right that higher education institutions have control over their most direct sources of funding, and that the free market would set competitive, low-cost rates for students.

Opponents worried state lawmakers would shirk responsibility for state higher education funding should the measure pass, and that higher education institutions would place too much of a financial burden on their students.