Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis (R,C,I-Bay Ridge) and Senator Martin J. Golden (R,C,I-Brooklyn) have signed on as co-sponsors of the Commitment to Military Education Act. The bill proposes tuition reductions for servicemen and women attending SUNY and CUNY schools who are facing the suspension of their tuition assistance from the military due to sequester-mandated cuts.
“Our greatest duty as Americans is to support our heroes in the armed forces and do everything in our power to honor the sacrifices they make for our country,” said Malliotakis. “As the federal government remains in gridlock, this is the least we can do on the state level to help our servicemen and women obtain an affordable education. This is an issue that crosses party lines, and I am hopeful that the bipartisan support behind this measure will ensure that state government does right by its courageous veterans.”
“Albany has been a proven example of ending partisan grid-lock and working toward results. Everyone in New York can agree that our veterans deserve to be exempt from politics. This legislation assures them of the education that they risked their lives for and so richly deserve,” said Golden.
“Many young men and women enlist because of the tuition assistance,” said Assemblyman Kieran Michael Lalor, who was heavily involved with drafting the bill. “We made a promise to them. If Washington can’t do the right thing, find the right places to cut and continue the assistance that was promised, New York needs to step up. This is the right thing to do. We owe it to our troops. Let’s take this moment to embrace the spirit of bipartisanship and honor a promise to our troops.”
The Army, Marine Corps, Air Force and Coast Guard have announced that they will be suspending tuition assistance programs for active duty and reserve personnel. Those currently enrolled will not receive tuition assistance for future classes. This bill would honor the promise our country made to our servicemen and women and allow those already enrolled in SUNY or CUNY schools to finish their degrees through tuition reductions matching the missing federal assistance.
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