The problem is -- the taxpayers won't agree, but will they be given the chance? MA is already claiming that for every dollar invested into public higher ed yields eight dollars return, but it will cost a lot more (than is already taken from taxpayers) to cover all these new "students." I don't argue that community colleges might be necessary for some, but don't stick me with the bill. I've been out of college for almost ten years, and I'm still paying over $300 a month in loans.
Well, I don't know what the voters of MA think, but I'd be all for putting the idea on a referendum to find out.
In California, there has always been strong public support for heavy state subsidy for higher education - even the University of California didn't start charging tuition until the 1980s (though there were a few fees that might amount to $1,000-1,500 per year). On the other hand, if MA voters don't want to pay for free junior colleges, that's their right.
Your reference to your own loans is simply special pleading - you apparently did not take advantage of the opportunity for reduced price public education.