The chart above graphs total tuition and fees—adjusted for inflation—paid by a range of lawmakers for their freshman year at state schools, compared to the current tuition and fees for the University of Washington. As it turns out, they paid a fraction of what students pay now, largely because legislators slashed funding to state universities. A decade ago, the state funded 70 percent of the residents’ tuition, but now it funds only 30 percent. “It’s still a heck of a value,” state senator Rodney Tom said in October.

Yeah, to somebody who lives in a Medina mansion, maybe. Or better yet, somebody who still lives in 1981.

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[Editor’s Note: Here’s how much tuition has increased at each of Washington’s public colleges/universities: http://www.stateofworkingwa.org/2012/pay-it-forward/index.htm]