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Assembly Democrats introduced a sweeping college affordability plan Monday that aims to make Cal State and University of California educations debt-free for nearly 400,000 students.

Ginny Dolores leads several dozen other Cal State Fullerton students protesting the possible tuition hike in front of the Cal State chancellor’s office in Long Beach on Nov. 15, 2016. (Credit: Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

The proposal would be the first in the nation to cover living expenses such as books, transportation and housing, in addition to tuition costs.

“With our ‘Degrees Not Debt’ proposal, California is taking the boldest step in the nation toward making college-debt free,” Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Paramount) said at a Capitol press conference.

The proposal would also make the first year of community college tuition-free for students attending full-time.

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