04/11/2019
As constituents of assemblywoman Marjorie Byrnes, we are deeply disappointed in this inaccurate and demeaning post. Firstly, the committee approved $2.7 million in tuition assistance for Gold Star Families at the beginning of the year. Republican Steve Hawley proposed an expansion on this to include families of those who have died or been severely injured in the line of duty after the state budget was passed. Secondly, the validity of educational benefits for undocumented immigrants is not mutually exclusive with the benefits provided to families of veterans. In Western New York, immigrants contribute tremendously to the agricultural sector that plays a key role in the state economy. We believe that, as a representative of Western New York, Ms. Byrnes should be both more aware of the facts and more sensitive to the members of her community. Benefits for veterans and their families are a bipartisan issue that Byrnes has co-opted to further her partisan agenda. The College Democrats at Geneseo support greater access to education for all people.
Today Assembly Democrats blocked a bill that would provide college tuition to families of deceased and disabled veterans. Despite the recent passage of the DREAM Act, which provides tuition assistance to illegal residents, Assembly Democrats blocked this bill for "costly" reasons. Their utter disrespect for our veterans who have so bravely and selflessly fought for our country is incomprehensible.
