Assemblyman Marc W. Butler (R,C,I-Newport) recently signed on to the Commitment to Military Education Act, a new bill designed to give tuition breaks to enlisted military personnel enrolled in the federal tuition assistance program. Massive cuts due to the federal sequester have left troops without their promised education aid, and Butler and several other legislators feel it is only right for the state to step in to help.
“Our country made a promise to our military men and women that we would help them pursue higher education, and we must make sure that we come through on the promise. If the federal government can’t make good, we want our soldiers to know that New York will step up and lend them a hand,” said Butler. “The economy has taken a great toll on returning military men and women, and one way to combat joblessness among our veterans is by continuing to offer education and training programs that will help them secure jobs after their military careers. I am proud to stand with my legislative colleagues in this bi-partisan effort in support of the Commitment to Military Education Act.”
The act would give tuition breaks equivalent to what enrolled military men and women would have received from the federal tuition assistance program if they take classes at any of the SUNY schools. Butler said this could be a boon for the state university system, by drawing in more students for enrollment.
Butler and the bill’s other key sponsors are optimistic about its prospects for passage, as it already has bi-partisan support in both the Assembly and the Senate. Butler says he will lobby his legislative colleagues to ensure the bill is passed.