Raimondo's free college tuition proposal off to rocky start
Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo’s proposal for two years of free in-state college tuition is off to a rocky start. Some legislators, like House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello are hesitant to endorse a program perceived as economically infeasible, and others see it as a government giveaway. Democratic Representative Gregg...
Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo’s proposal for two years of free in-state college tuition is off to a rocky start. Some legislators, like House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello are hesitant to endorse a program perceived as economically infeasible, and others see it as a government giveaway.
Democratic Representative Gregg Amore of the House Finance Committee is among various lawmakers who says they would rather improve K-12 education.
“I would like to see a program that is a little broader than this program. Pre-K investment is as important, if not more important, because over the long haul it serves more of our students,” Amore said.
Raimondo’s program would cover tuition for the full two years at the Community College of Rhode Island or the final two years of a four-year-degree at the University of Rhode Island or Rhode Island College.
The first hearing on the free college proposal will be held on Wednesday in the House Finance Committee.