newsobserver.com projects - McCrory opposes free comm. college - Comments

Re: McCrory opposes free comm. college

bnartist — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 13:44:45 -0400

We're already there with high school "early college" programs at community colleges (except that high school students are discovering that third level textbooks cost an arm and a leg). The free tuition for community college has usually been discussed in the context of motivating high school students to graduate, especially those that may not be attracted to or have aptitude for universities. To my knowledge McCrory wants higher graduation rates and more community college education. Saying no to free tuition is saying no to that for some students. He is premature in slamming that door shut.

Re: McCrory opposes free comm. college

mickiep — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 08:33:26 -0400

McCrory is 100% correct on this issue, nothing is FREE. Whatever happened to building character by WORKING to achieve the goal of a college education. Community college is a great thing and plenty of financial aid is available to those in need. So, why should NC taxpayers pick up the tab for a FREE community college education for high school graduates. That is the sole responsibility of the student and the parents. We already provide 12 years of public instruction FREE, not to mention programs like "SmartStart", "More at Four" and free lunches. Beverly Perdue is pandering as usual by offering freebies to voters. Free lunches, free education, free college educations, free healthcare,...where does it end....free cars and TV's??....don't stop, Bev, until we are all bankrupt from paying higher and higher taxes.

NC could really use some common sense in the governors office.

McCrory opposes free comm. college

ryanteaguebeckwith — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 17:32:38 -0400

Pat McCrory opposes making community college free.

During the Democratic gubernatorial primary, state Treasurer Richard Moore proposed offering North Carolina's high-school graduates two years of community college free.

His rival, Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue, later announced a plan to expand existing grants for community college students to essentially provide free tuition.

Immediately after the primary, McCrory countered Perdue, saying he would not offer free community college tuition, according to a May 8 article in the Charlotte Observer:

"Nothing is free. The teachers aren't going to work for free. The building's not free. The textbook's aren't free. I'm going to tell the truth. What I'm going to do is put together an education program that tries to get people jobs."

McCrory again criticized the plan while touring a Charlotte business.

A recent ad by a Democratic group attacked McCrory for not supporting the proposal, citing the Charlotte article.