New York is still feeling the Bern

Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders and New York Governor Andrew Cuomo worked together to propose a bill to make New York college free for students whose family makes $125,000 or less a year.

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Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders and New York Governor Andrew Cuomo worked together to propose a bill to make New York college free for students whose family makes $125,000 or less a year.

Molly McIntyre, Staff Writer

During his presidential campaign, one priority of Bernie Sanders was to make college free for those who could not afford higher education. When he dropped out of the race, Secretary Clinton incorporated free higher education. Now with Donald Trump up to bat, it seems that the affordability of college will take the backseat. However, just because he is not President does not mean Sanders is done trying to make college affordable.

Sander’s grassroots campaign caught the eyes of millennials. Sanders had a vision that included helping those who could not stand up for themselves. Free higher education became a rallying cry for Sanders and his supporters. These supporters lost all hope for an affordable college plan with the election of Trump.  

On Jan. 3, New York Governor, Andrew Cuomo, announced his free college plan with Senator Sanders. This plan would make students in a household that makes under $125,000 eligible for free tuition. This free tuition can be used for community colleges as well as two year or four year state and city colleges. Nearly one million families with college students could receive this free education.

While the bill still needs to be ratified by the state legislature, it gives millions of kids across America hope for their future. This bill could give kids not only the opportunity to go to college for free, but to have a life free from crippling student loans that most of their parents have. America sits and waits for New York to pass or trash the bill.