Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer plans to urge state lawmakers to pass legislation that would provide free community college tuition for all high school graduates during her sixth State of the State speech on Wednesday.

Whitmer also prioritized community college access in her annual address last year. State lawmakers responded by temporarily lowering the minimum age for free tuition from 25 to 21 years old. The Democratic governor now wants to expand the program by removing all age requirements for free community college, according to details of her plan provided to The Associated Press by Whitmer’s office.

Whitmer’s administration created the Michigan Reconnect program in 2021, aiming to increase the percentage of the state’s workforce with a postsecondary degree or training from 50.5% to 60% by 2030. It made Michigan residents 25 years and older eligible for free community college tuition.

  • Flying Squid
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    10 months ago

    Free college and legal weed? Why do you have to be so cold, Michigan?

    See also: Canada.

    • @AeonFelis
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      410 months ago

      There is this theory that cultures that were developing in colder places had less reason to be wary of strangers, due to diseases being less transmittable in the cold, and because of that they turned out more progressive.

    • @[email protected]
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      210 months ago

      It won’t be cold for much longer with the way climate change is heading. I moved to Detroit a few years ago, and all my neighbors have commented on how little snow we’re getting and how warm winters have been.

      • Flying Squid
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        210 months ago

        You’re way further north than me (I’m in West-Central Indiana) and on the lake. It was -14 here last week. I can’t believe it was especially balmy there.

        • @[email protected]
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          10 months ago

          Eh, the heat waves and cold snaps are happening nationwide. I more mean that on average, it’s been pretty warm. Most of November and December was between 40F and 50F.

          But for sure, the lake (and concrete from the city) helps keep temperatures moderate. We’re also lucky being on the west side of the lake, so we don’t have to deal with lake effect snow.