MSU students will pay an additional dollar for The State News beginning in the fall.

When the votes from last week’s election were tallied, 501 students voted in favor of the increase, 418 opposed it and six students abstained from voting during the 2002 student tax referendum.

The increase upped the tax from $4 to $5 per semester and is the first increase in 13 years. A tax increase proposed in 1994 failed.

During the years, more color and news coverage have been added to the paper. State News officials said. The State News has a circulation of about 28,500 five days a week. Students pay 7 cents per issue for the paper.

State News General Manager Marty Sprigg said she’s glad students voted to support the increase.

“By voting for it, The State News can continue to provide an educational opportunity for students and can also grow as a newspaper,” she said. “Essentially, by passing the increase, The State News can give the MSU community the best possible coverage of campus events.”

The State News tax referendum was the only student election that was not postponed until today. ASMSU’s representative elections, $3 tax increase referendum and constitutional changes can be voted on beginning today, along with a University Apartments’ Council of Residents $1.50 tax increase referendum.

“I wish more people would have voted for the referendum, but I’m happy that the referendum passed,” State News Editor in Chief Jeremy W. Steele said. “I’m just thankful for the people who did take the time to vote - and voted ‘yes’ on it.”

Hospitality business freshman Robin Bruno said she enjoys reading The State News, but wouldn’t have voted for the increase.

“It’s a good newspaper, but it doesn’t really satisfy all of my personal needs,” she said. “I think that the $4 per semester was enough. It wasn’t necessary to raise the tax to $5.”

Students can vote at www.student-elections.msu.edu.