We already have free community college via our high school. There are approx 8 high schools that participate in a co-op and University High school at Ben Davis High School in Indiana. Tuition is free for anyone in the co-op of high schools. See http://www.wayne.k12.in.us/bduhs/.
High school students can get an associates degree while in high school and then transfer to university with their credits after high school. They also have technical courses like a certificate in automotive repair and paramedic. Since some these courses can be done in high school and most students meet prerequisites to enroll, I don’t see the point in paying for students to do this AFTER high school. Just like many students take AP college courses in high school, some students might be interested in taking career certificate courses in high school or in getting their associates degree.
The public school system needs to get their act together and offer this program in all cities. The only excuse for not having this type of program is if one lives in a rural area. We need more high schools with this program, not higher taxes where these kids start their career training after high school when they could start during high school.
Also of note is that the tax dollars follow the student to University High School and there is no surcharge for choosing this option from the neighboring school district. A nice side effect of this has been that our very middle class high school has been progressive about offering AP courses with the goal of enticing students and their tax dollars to stay within our school district.
BTW- our Indiana suburban school districts are able to do all this and our taxes have remained very, very low. This program makes sense for everyone.