As financial scandals cloud three state universities, two powerful House Republicans say legislative action, geared toward fixing structural and cultural problems in the university system, will likely be in play this year.

Details on proposals remain scarce as the annual legislative session prepares to start Tuesday. But Randy Fine, chairman of the House' Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee, said he wants to look into giving the Legislature more sway over the higher education budget and training for university officials who oversee school finances.

“We are now up to 25 percent of our state universities having some level of issue with the improper use of state dollars,” Fine told The News Service of Florida, referring to three of the 12 schools in the system. “The severity of this issue merits that we do something about it.”