LANSING (WWJ) – Democratic state lawmakers are ready to move forward with a proposal to provide free college tuition to anyone in Michigan who needs it.

“The will certainly have some curbside appeal for families that are struggling to put their kids through college,” said WWJ Lansing Bureau Chief Tim Skubick.

But where would all that cash come from? Skubick spoke with State Sen. Gretchen Whitmer

“We can find $1.7 billion to pay for kids to go to college because we know that education is economic development. They’ve (done) it in Minnesota, they’ve proven it in Kalamazoo,” said Whitmer. “We can replicate that in our state – the whole state.”

State Republican leader Randy Richardville said he’ll take a look at it, but he’s not ready to endorse the Democrats’ plan.

“It appears to be a lot of a stretch … The way, conceptually, I’ve heard about it, I don’t know where we’re gonna find $1.8 billion to give away every year,” Richardville said.

Details of the plan, including how Democrats’ plan to fund it, were expected to be unveiled Tuesday.