Posted on 01/30/2006 6:40:59 PM PST by NormsRevenge
SACRAMENTO (AP) - State Controller Steve Westly said Monday that every Californian is entitled to free community college - and the state can afford to pay for it.
Westly, who is seeking the Democratic nomination for governor, proposed to pay tuition for students who successfully complete a community college degree. He said the proposal would cost $100 million to $200 million a year, money he said the state should already be paying community colleges. The former eBay executive and millionaire announced his proposal at the annual legislative conference of the Community College League of California in Sacramento Monday.
"Community colleges are the most important part of the higher education system," he told the group. "Too often, they're also the most neglected."
Westly said the cost of attending the state's 109 community colleges has increased 136 percent in the last three years, to about $800 a year for a full courseload. Attendance has meanwhile lagged, according to the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst's Office.
Westly said 180,000 students were priced out of education when fees climbed dramatically in 2003. But the legislative analyst found in 2003-04 about 40 percent of full-time students had their education subsidized and did not pay any tuition.
Westly's plan would let students borrow the full cost of their education, interest-free, and the money would turn into a grant if they completed their program. Students who dropped out would have to repay the loans as usual.
The state has shortchanged community colleges in recent years, Westly said. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's budget this year is $255 million short of what colleges should be receiving, he said. Schwarzenegger has proposed eliminating fee increases at colleges and universities in an effort to control the costs to students.
Westly's Democratic rival, state Treasurer Phil Angelides, has an education proposal that includes reducing taxes on education, admitting 20,000 more students to state universities, expanding the state's grant system and creating an endowment to boost funding by around $300 million a year.
No mention of all the illegals and how they might be impacted.
Let the pandering begin.
Oops. It already did a while back.
I want a pony.
Free money? I'm all for it.
I'm glad all this stuff doesn't cost anything.
Don't worry they will make sure they get there's first.
sounds more like Westley is impacted.
Why I think he should stop there. Pay for all four years!
Extend it to anyone breathing! Illegal. Legal. And then let taxpayers get the bill.
Just kidding.
He's your typical socialist.
Actually, it makes sense. As fiscal conservatives, we should look at the cost-benefit analysis.
A two-year degree at a community college costs about $3000, give or take. Will that degree generate at least $3000 in additional income tax revenue? Probably.
I'm all for it.
Fools, fools, and more fools. If this were to happen, you would need an Associate Degree just to get a job flipping burgers or picking up garbage.
Westly said 180,000 students were priced out of education when fees climbed dramatically in 2003.
Geez... work a summer job... even at minimum wage you only need to work a month to come up with a full years tuition... you can take the other two months of summer off and go surfing.
What about a pot to pee in and a window to throw it out of? I think the state can afford that too. That's what I want!
would you like an enamel chamber pot or is stainless steel OK?
All of these items can be had cheap on EBay which is where Westly made his big bucks, btw. ;-)
There is an appealing element to it if we can minimize the costs and keep unions out of it.
Pump $100 million or so into it, and I can guarantee you that the price will not remain at $800 a year.
And therein lies the key.....they want (the colleges) guaranteed students.....I'll bet it's because MOST who could go are too lazy these days.....I know of a 20 year old who's living at home, working, taking vacations in England and France (to "party")....and thinking about taking a comm college class....it just isn't a priority. She's got a decent job and doesn't see the value.
ROFL....as IF THAT would happen.....LOLOLOLOLOL
Individuals who obtain a higher education capture most of the benefit of that education themselves in the form of higher earnings. While there is some justification for helping students obtain loans to pay for higher education, there is little reason for taxpayers to pay the entire bill.
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