LGC 12.19 - Free Community College Act - Passed

[Attorney General, Senator-Elect, & Former PPT Dwarven Dragon]

Free Community College Act of 2023
1. This will be known as the Free Community College Act of 2023
2. Implementation: Those enterprises in the region that organize and support special colleges with a set of specialties in which the enterprise is interested, and in these colleges people aged 18 and older receive education at a 50% reduction of current tuition and advanced training for free, such enterprises are entitled to tax benefits, priority receipt of public investment and non-competitive tenders.
3. This bill will take place effective during the Fall of 2024.

Sponsor: Christian Man
Occupying: Slot 3 of 10

Sponsor, please advocate for your bill.

[Vice President Christian Man]

Thank you Speaker Dwarven. I believe that we are quickly spiraling towards an economic catastrophe where a combination of automation, AI, and the continued outsourcing of jobs are going to disproportionately impact people who have blue collar jobs. This opportunity will give these workers an opportunity to transition to get a college degree as an extension of the existing Free Trade School bill in order to minimize potential damages and ensure that education can continue to be a right for all who want to access it.

[FairBol]

Mr. Speaker,

First off, I note that the aforementioned Free Trade School Act already makes trade schools free for most citizens. 

With this bill, the gentleman from Massachusetts seeks to do the same for community colleges.  It is commendable, I believe, to work towards the expansion of educational opportunities. 

That said, the cost and economic issues associated with this bill are a source of concern for me.  In particular, I ask how we will continue to pay our teachers (and other educational staff) if this bill is passed.  And where will that money come from?

You see, contrary to popular belief, there are many teachers in Lincoln who do not teach merely as a public service.  Rather, they teach as a career, and to put food on their family's plates.  We've already taken away a good portion of the ability for trade school teachers to accomplish this.  Why should we do the same at community colleges?

What I'm trying to say, Mr. Speaker, is that a lot of teachers aren't involved in education "for their health", so to speak.  And at the risk of repeating cliches, I'm sure the gentleman knows that "money doesn't grow on trees".  Where will the money to pay the staff and run the programs come from?

With this bill, I am worried that we are creating a boondoggle where there doesn't need to be one.  So saying, I stand in opposition. 

I yield.

[LAKISYLVANIA]

Community college should be free in general, not just people over the age of 25. Makes no sense. One could make a case for not going to school at all and wait till they're 25.

[GM Team Member and Senator WB]

Free Community College Act of 2023
1. This will be known as the Free Community College Act of 2023
2. Implementation:
This bill will make community college tuition free for individuals residing in Lincoln who are over the age of 25 and do not possess a college degree.
No community college or similarly titled institution may charge tuition to individuals over the age of 18 who do not currently possess a college degree for the first two years of their enrollment at said community college.
3. This bill will take place effective during the Fall of 2023.

Amendment. This cleans up the wording a bit, lowers the age barrier, and makes it free for two years for the student.

[Attorney General, Senator-Elect, & Former PPT Dwarven Dragon]

Amendment Adopted

[Attorney General, Senator-Elect, & Former PPT Dwarven Dragon]

Asking UC that this be held over to the next session so that a cost estimate can be provided by the GM Team.

[Attorney General, Senator-Elect, & Former PPT Dwarven Dragon]

This will be held over.

[Oleg 🇰🇿🤝🇺🇦]

I propose the following amendment for consideration:

2. Implementation:
No community college or similarly titled institution may charge tuition to individuals over the age of 18 who do not currently possess a college degree for the first two years of their enrollment at said community college.

Those enterprises in the region that organize and support special colleges with a set of specialties in which the enterprise is interested, and in these colleges people aged 18 and older receive education and advanced training for free, such enterprises are entitled to tax benefits, priority receipt of public investment and non-competitive tenders.

3. This bill will take place effective during the Fall of 2023.

[S019]

I have another amendment

I propose the following amendment for consideration:

2. Implementation:
No community college or similarly titled institution may charge tuition to individuals over the age of 18 who do not currently possess a college degree for the first two years of their enrollment at said community college.

Those enterprises in the region that organize and support special colleges with a set of specialties in which the enterprise is interested, and in these colleges people aged 18 and older receive education at a 50% reduction of current tuition and advanced training for free, such enterprises are entitled to tax benefits, priority receipt of public investment and non-competitive tenders.

3. This bill will take place effective during the Fall of 2023.

I do not really think "free college" is a good idea or particularly affordable.

[NewYorkExpress]

I'd also like to offer an amendment:

College Act of 2023
1. This will be known as the Free Community College Act of 2023
2. Implementation:
No community college or similarly titled institution may charge tuition to individuals over the age of 18 who do not currently possess a college degree for the first two years of their enrollment at said community college.
3. This bill will take place effective during the Fall of 2023. Fall of 2024.

As the fall of 2023 is getting closer, this amendment would move the effective date for implementation back by one year.

[Oleg 🇰🇿🤝🇺🇦]

2. Implementation:
No community college or similarly titled institution may charge tuition to individuals over the age of 18 who do not currently possess a college degree for the first two years of their enrollment at said community college.

Those enterprises in the region that organize and support special colleges with a set of specialties in which the enterprise is interested, and in these colleges people aged 18 and older receive education at a 50% reduction of current tuition and advanced training for free, such enterprises are entitled to tax benefits, priority receipt of public investment and non-competitive tenders.

3. This bill will take place effective during the Fall of 2023.

I accept this amendment. If this works, it could be possible to think about completely free education and further apply this to community colleges.

[Oleg 🇰🇿🤝🇺🇦]

Obviously, we no longer need to calculate budget expenditures for free colleges, since special colleges are not completely free and their provision falls on private enterprises, and not on the regional budget.

If there are no objections and proposals, I will sign it in ten hours with S019's amendment. It will be entitled "Act for the Establishment of Special Colleges."

[Attorney General, Senator-Elect, & Former PPT Dwarven Dragon]

Obviously, we no longer need to calculate budget expenditures for free colleges, since special colleges are not completely free and their provision falls on private enterprises, and not on the regional budget.

If there are no objections and proposals, I will sign it in ten hours with S019's amendment. It will be entitled "Act for the Establishment of Special Colleges."

You do not sign the bill at this stage. First the entire LGC Process must be completed including formal passage of the bill and then you can sign. You will receive a notification when this, or any other bill, has arrived on your 'desk'

Further, objection Periods do not elapse during the Speaker Election because all other business is forbidden during that time.

Therefore, we will begin the 24 hours to object to each of the amendments now. There is the Oleg/S019 amendment (as amended) and the NYE amendment. Deputies objecting need to specify which amendment they are objecting to.

[Attorney General, Senator-Elect, & Former PPT Dwarven Dragon]

I do concur with the notion that waiting for a GM Team score is no longer necessary if the amendments are adopted.

[Oleg 🇰🇿🤝🇺🇦]

You do not sign the bill at this stage. First the entire LGC Process must be completed including formal passage of the bill and then you can sign. You will receive a notification when this, or any other bill, has arrived on your 'desk'

Further, objection Periods do not elapse during the Speaker Election because all other business is forbidden during that time.

Therefore, we will begin the 24 hours to object to each of the amendments now. There is the Oleg/S019 amendment (as amended) and the NYE amendment. Deputies objecting need to specify which amendment they are objecting to.

Thanks for clarifying. Well, this procedure makes my job easier.

[Attorney General, Senator-Elect, & Former PPT Dwarven Dragon]

Amendments Adopted

[Attorney General, Senator-Elect, & Former PPT Dwarven Dragon]

Motion for a final vote

[NewYorkExpress]

Motion for a final vote

Could we get a draft of the bill in it's current form?

[Attorney General, Senator-Elect, & Former PPT Dwarven Dragon]

Motion for a final vote

Could we get a draft of the bill in it's current form?

OP updated

[NewYorkExpress]

Motion for a final vote

Could we get a draft of the bill in it's current form?

OP updated

Thank you!

[LAKISYLVANIA]

A vote on this bill is beginning

[NewYorkExpress]

Aye

[Attorney General, Senator-Elect, & Former PPT Dwarven Dragon]

Aye

[Vice President Christian Man]

Aye