New York state Senate passed Democratic Governor Andrew Cuomo's tuition-free college plan on Monday.
Cuomo introduced a tuition-free college plan for middle-class students in January, but the bill that was passed on Monday comes with a twist added by the GOP members of Congress, the New York Post reported.
Republicans in the state Senate insisted that a provision be added to the bill, ruling that in order for students to get free tuition in New York, they must commit to live and work in the state for as many years as they receive funding. If students decide to move out of the New York, they are required to pay the state back.
Cuomo agreed with the added GOP provision.
"We have to get away from educating people and then having them move away. We want to create a climate for business and new jobs," he said.
"Why should New Yorkers pay for your college education and then you pick up and you move to California?" Cuomo continued. "The concept of investing in you and your education is that you’re going to stay here and be an asset to the state. If you don’t want to stay here, then go to California now, let them pay for your college education."
Senate GOP spokesman Scott Reif said the provision was added because too many students after receiving New York's financial assistance will then leave to contribute to the economy of other states.
"New York spends $1 billion on college financial assistance. There is a brain-drain problem." Reif told the New York Post.
Temple University Professor Sara Goldrick-Rab does not agree with the added provision, and tweeted her opposition of the bill.
According to his bill,@NYGovCuomo rather keep an unemployed college grad in state & on public benefits rather than letting them work in NJ
— Sara Goldrick-Rab (@saragoldrickrab) April 11, 2017
The bill-signing ceremony will be held on Wednesday at La Guardia Community College in Queens.