Critics Say Obama’s Math Doesn’t Add Up on Free Tuition

Photo Credit: Pete SouzaBy Brian Hughes. President Obama’s plan to provide free tuition to community college students has landed with a thud among number crunchers, who argue that overburdened states cannot afford to fund the White House idea.

As a political strategy, “free tuition” is as appealing a message as Obama could devise heading into his final two years in office. But when pressed on funding the measure, it gets messier for the White House.

Even if Obama had the backing of Republicans to spend $60 billion in federal funds on the education program — he doesn’t — the White House still would have a money problem.

States would be on the hook for $20 billion over the next decade to send students to community college, even at a time when statehouses are funding a shrinking share of their higher education programs.

“I don’t know how states would pay for this,” said Neal McCluskey, associate director of the Cato Institute’s Center for Educational Freedom. “The assumption is states are willing to shell out more money if they can get additional federal dollars. But they’ll either have to raise taxes or slash spending somewhere else.” (Read more about how the free tuition won’t work HERE)

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Deciphering Obama’s Chemistry with Congress, or Lack of it

By Associated Press. He hardly ever calls. When he does, it’s all business.

And that’s President Barack Obama’s vibe with top Democrats on Capitol Hill.

With Republicans, there’s even less chemistry.

But GOP congressional leaders don’t show much inclination to buddy up to the president, either.

When the president sits down with eight top legislators — four from each party — at the White House on Tuesday, there’s little expectation it will usher in a new era of comity and cooperation. (Read more from this story HERE)

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