[NormsRevenge]

It's an election year and a primary looms.

No mention of all the illegals and how they might be impacted.

[NormsRevenge]

Let the pandering begin.

Oops. It already did a while back.

[Drango]

I want a pony.

[mhx]

Free money? I'm all for it.

I'm glad all this stuff doesn't cost anything.

[Stayingawayfromthedarkside]

Don't worry they will make sure they get there's first.

[Hi Heels]

sounds more like Westley is impacted.

[nmh]

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.

[Lunatic Fringe]

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.

[A CA Guy]

Most of both the community and state college tuition is covered by state tax payers.
Community college is covered much more so and should NOT be given away at tax payer's expense IMO.

If they don't have to pay for anything, why should they respect it?
Hasn't decades of the great society program proved that?

[Clock King]

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.

[So Cal Rocket]

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.

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.

[barj]

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!

[Mr Ramsbotham]

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.

Pump $100 million or so into it, and I can guarantee you that the price will not remain at $800 a year.

[Texas_Jarhead]

The loons are gonna completely obliterate California.

[KosciuszkoRocks]

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.

[joey'smom]

California junior colleges were free, back in 1969 when I graduated from h.s. General opinion was you got what you paid for.

[cake_crumb]

100 to 200 hundred million a year? For EVERYONE who wants a bachelor's? Even those who FLOCK to CA for this "free" degree"? On what planet? Besides, CA ios still about bankrupt dispite the nest efforts of it's current governor.

Have the casinos begun paying taxes yet or is all that still tied up in court? How about worker's comp reform? THAT was lost in court, IIRC.

[socal_parrot]

When I started at Long Beach State, tuition was $104 per semester. Community College at that time was free, except for a $5 health fee. That was in the late 70s.

I do business on many California college campuses. There are already too many "professional" JC students. Making it free would worsen the problem.

[norton]

"State Controller Steve Westly said Monday that every Californian is entitled to free community college - and the state can afford to pay for it."

Ahh, but can we afford Mr. Westly?

Fully agree with another poster - the institution of academia is aiming us toward a society that requires a BA to flip 'burgers...especially since it no longer seems necessary to speak English to graduate from ANY level of schooling in Kalifornia.

[aligncare]

California is a mess. Their Ballot Initiatives allow the voters to 'vote' to spend tax dollars - usually for some feel-good social program - without understanding the budget process or even economics for that matter.

It's economy has since spiraled out of control.

[jec41]

Pay me so I get enrolled on the internet. You can get a degree in two weeks if you pay the admission.