University of California regents unanimously voted Thursday to approve an $8.7 billion spending plan for the 2018-19 school year, which includes the first tuition decrease in nearly 20 years.

UC President Janet Napolitano said the most significant change from the budget presented last fall was the motion to not only keep tuition flat, but remove a $60 tuition surcharge added in 2007 to cover the costs of two class-action lawsuits.

Months of lobbying for more state funding prevented a proposed 2.5 percent tuition hike, although regents did approve a yearly 3.5 percent tuition increase for out-of-state and international students in March. The governor and legislature increased the UC system’s funding by $347 million, including $98.1 million in ongoing support and $248.8 million in a one-time contribution...

To read full article by Kristin Lam, visit The Mercury News.