Gov. Cuomo's plan for tuition-free degree program faces criticism

Gov. Andrew Cuomo's plan to offer free tuition at state-run universities is receiving some tough criticism.

At a press conference Friday, Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino and several of the area's leading educators at Pace University condemned the governor's proposed Excelsior Scholarship Program.

Under the program, middle class families making under $125,000 per year would qualify to attend college tuition-free at all public universities in New York State.

Astorino expressed empathy for Westchester County families who are facing rising college costs. But the county executive also expressed concern that the program would hurt enrollment at area private schools, and that middle class taxpayers would end up footing the bill for the program through tax increases.

If the plan is approved, eligible families would have access to free tuition sometime this year.