8legs: Democratic state convention

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Column: Promising free college tuition is good politics -- and a good idea

Porter pledges tuition-free college for California residents in their junior and senior years at UC and CSU, funded by higher corporate taxes.
Experts estimate UC and CSU would lose billions annually without full tuition from all students, prompting funding feasibility concerns.
Supporters view universal programs as durable political solutions, linking education access to broader economic growth.
Porter argues affordability is a top voter concern, despite being less prominent on polling lists.
Porter clarifies plan would still charge non-Californian students and include aid adjustments.
Porter links her plan to the historic California Master Plan for Higher Education as a guiding rationale.
Critics question affordability, noting the revenue gaps and potential strain on state finances.
If enacted, the plan would require offset funding and political support, including corporate tax adjustments.
Porter frames universal free tuition as a PR and economic tool to attract families to California.
The topic remains a flashpoint in a crowded Democratic gubernatorial field ahead of the June primary.

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