Earlier this month, President Barack Obama proposed to make the first two years of community college "free for everybody who is willing to work for it." He said states would provide a quarter of the funding and the remaining 75 percent of the cost would be covered by the federal government.

White House officials admit that the ambitious proposal would cost about $60 billion over the next decade.

Presidents of Lehigh Carbon Community College and Northampton Community College leaders are optimistic that Obama's proposal could become reality, but some state political leaders don't share the same optimism.

The community college presidents feel that free community college would be a great investment by the government and would reap positive returns.

Dr. Mark H. Erickson, president of Northampton Community College, said there are many people who can't afford to go to any college.

"Surely I get excited about the idea because it would open the door for those who can't afford to make it. It would offer a great opportunity to those who can't afford it," Erickson said.

It would be "a creative pathway to a four-year college," he said. It also would help businesses and industries by providing them with more college-educated workers.

"I think the return on the investment on this time of proposal is phenomenal," Erickson said.

"Many countries around the globe that provide public education beyond high school," he said. "All indicators are that we're behind those countries. We need to do something bold."

Erickson said he sees many capable individuals who work their way through college.

"They have jobs that demand a lot of their time," he said. "I just think it will make it much more likely these individuals will make it through the institution."

Dr. Ann Bieber, president of Lehigh Carbon Community College, also supports the president's idea..

She pointed out that locally, the Morgan Foundation provides free tuition to LCCC for all Tamaqua Area School District graduates.

That program is so successful, she said, that she is hoping to duplicate it in other areas, including downtown Allentown, where businesses are being asked to assist.

She feels eventually the concept of free community college will be embraced.

"We're just so excited," Bieber said. "Education really is just the equalizer."

Steve DeFrank, chief of staff to State Sen. Lisa Boscola, was succinct and shared what appears to be a common curiosity at the proposal. "Sounds great," he said, "But who pays for it?

"Sen. Boscola is a big advocate of community colleges and serves on the Community College caucus in the legislature, but there's not a lot of details. In theory she loves the idea. It's just how you get there [that's in question]."

State Sen. John Yudichak is behind the proposal.

"We are fortunate to have some of the best community colleges in the country right here in northeastern Pennsylvania," he said. "I am encouraged by the president's proposal, which will certainly open the doors to our community colleges for prospective students of all social and economic backgrounds."

Yudichak added, "If we are going to position Pennsylvania and the nation for future economic growth, it is imperative that we continue to build and develop a highly-skilled and educated workforce by making the dream of a college education a potential reality for every American citizen."

U.S. Congressman Charlie Dent (R-15th) was critical of the plan in a phone interview. He said he understands the intent of making education more affordable, but such a broadly-reaching program would be accessible to those who don't even have need of it. He implied the increased financial burden would become a local problem because school districts help fund community colleges. If tuition is free, what happens if school districts reduce their support, he asked.

"Who will make up the difference?"

Dent said tuition assistance should be on a need basis, suggesting expanding Pell grants would be a better alternative, and said the cost announced by the president is understated and will likely explode.

Meanwhile, he evinced bewilderment at the president's plan to begin taxing college 529 savings plans, directly impacting many middle class families that have been saving for their children for years.

Dent is also concerned how the community college plan might affect schools such as DeSales University, which provide access to many first-generation and low-income students, but would not benefit from the funding.

For now, he said, "The proposal raises more questions than it answers."