Free college is quickly becoming the preferred “solution” to the problem of high tuition among the left.

The Seattle Times reports.

Legislators push for free tuition at community, technical colleges

Tuition at the state’s community and technical colleges would be free for many state residents under an ambitious proposal that takes up President Obama’s call to expand educational opportunity, yet so far provides no way to pay for it.

In announcing the proposal, Democratic state Sens. David Frockt and Pramila Jayapal, both of Seattle, acknowledged they don’t know where the money would come from. Nonpartisan legislative staff has projected the costs at $94.4 million to $105.1 million for fiscal 2017.

“We’re going to need to make sure we have that discussion in the context of a budget that is substantial,” Jayapal said last week, noting the price tag is high for a legislative session dealing with a supplemental budget.

Still, said Jayapal, who last week also announced her run to succeed retiring U.S. Rep Jim McDermott, she is optimistic it can pass, given the Legislature’s work in 2015 to lower higher-education tuition.

Bill sponsors say the tuition help would increase high-school graduation.

“We want people who are just on the edge to be moving into the middle class,” said Rep. Gerry Pollet, D-Seattle. “It puts the dream of higher education in reach for everyone, regardless of income, regardless of where they live.”

Pollet said funding could be found “fairly easily,” by closing some tax exemptions. That’s been a common suggestion from Democrats, but not easily accomplished.

Last year, 181,451 students attended community college full time in Washington state. The legislation to fund two years of tuition would cover about 53,000 eligible students.