NOT HAPPY that TurboTax is forcing me to upgrade in order to file!

Yes in Deluxe and above there is a $44.99 fee for state.

In the regular Turbo Tax Free Edition, information that you can enter is limited now. Under the new tax laws, there are no more simple Form 1040EZ or 1040A's. Everything goes on a little Form 1040 that has six extra "schedules" with it, and if you need any of those schedules, you are not able to use the Free Edition.
https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-1040

If you want to go back to the Free Edition you can Clear and Start Over
https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2586254-how-do-i-clear-and-start-over-in-turbotax-online

Or you could switch to the CD/Download program. All the Desktop programs have the same forms so you could use a lower version. I can tell you how.

There is also The Turbo Tax Free File program which is free for federal and state. And has more forms than the Federal Free Edition, like Schedules A, B, C , D, E, F, EIC, H, K-1, SE, etc.

NOTE: You will have to log out of your regular Turbo Tax account and setup a new account with a new username and new password or it will take you back to regular Turbo Tax.

To qualify for the Free File website you just need to meet one of these 3 things
AGI $34,000 or less
Active duty military with AGI of $66,000 or less
OR qualify for EIC (earned income credit.)

In order to use the Free File program, you have to start it at a special website. Click on the bottom Orange button I Qualify Start Now and set up a NEW account or it will take you back to regular Turbo Tax.
http://turbotax.intuit.com/taxfreedom