Duncan's news conference was the third held by gubernatorial candidates to discuss higher education.
Gov. Robert Ehrlich said this week he will increase higher education funding by $172 million in the coming fiscal year. University officials said that would enable colleges to limit tuition increases to a maximum of 4.5 percent for the 2006-2007 school year.
``Higher education in Maryland is on a roll,'' Ehrlich said at his announcement.
One day earlier, O'Malley challenged the governor to halt increases in tuition, which has jumped about 40 percent in recent years to make up for cuts in state aid.
``Bob Ehrlich's policies have priced education out of the reach of middle class families,'' Duncan said, calling the announcement of a 14.5 percent increase in higher education funding a ``shameless election year conversion'' by the governor.
Duncan also criticized O'Malley, although not by name, saying: ``A one-year tuition freeze is not a substitute for an education plan.''
Duncan said some of the details of his plan, including the restrictions on drug use and violent crime, would be developed by the education cabinet he proposes to establish if elected governor.
But he said he does not foresee drug testing of students and would rely on school and court records to determine eligibility for grants.
— Associated Press
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