Raimondo urges R.I. lawmakers to expand free tuition program
PROVIDENCE (AP) — Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo is urging lawmakers to support her proposal to expand the state's free tuition program.
The Democrat touted the success of the program during a meeting Tuesday with the House Finance Committee.
She says Rhode Island Promise has increased the number of low-income students at the Community College of Rhode Island by 143 percent and quadrupled the number of students graduating in two years.
Raimondo says "for a few million dollars, you are seeing a remarkable return."
The governor's budget proposal for fiscal 2020 calls for $13.2 million for the program.
Raimondo wants to expand the program to older students at CCRI and cover the last two years of a four-year degree at Rhode Island College.
Some lawmakers question whether the state can afford an expansion.
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