Heard Around Town: Democratic lawmakers support free community college tuition

Democrats in the state Legislature will support Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s effort to provide free community college tuition for New Yorkers during the 2016 legislative session.

The Post reported on Monday that Cuomo is in negotiations with the White House to provide 25 percent, or about $500 million, of the cost of tuition for New Yorkers to attend community college in the state. Political observers are worried the state is rushing into a commitment it cannot fiscally support.

Details around the negotiations are still scarce, but Assembly Democratic spokesman Mike Whyland said the conference is always interested in ways to make college more affordable and accessible.

“Speaker Heastie has championed opportunity programs and increased aid to our colleges and universities to help our citizens climb the ladder of economic opportunity, so we are very glad the Governor is talking about ways to make this happen,” Whyland said in a statement.

A spokesman for the state Senate Democratic conference also confirmed state Senate Minority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins is supportive of efforts to make college more affordable.

Whether or not the governor’s proposal will gain support from state Senate Republicans, who hold the majority in the chamber, is uncertain.

A spokesman for the state Senate Republican conference did not immediately respond to requests for comment.