New Proposed Bill To Provide Free Tuition For Military Families

LONG ISLAND, NY - Local officials recently joined members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars to introduce a bill to provide free tuition for military families.

Senator John E. Brooks, joined by members of the Long Island Democratic Majority, announced the introduction the "Gold Star" bill at a press conference held this week.

The new proposed bill will ensure that dependent family members of New York military personnel who as a result of their official duties has lost their lives, become permanently disabled or classified as Missing in Action, can still receive access to education.

The children of local military families will be provided free tuition to all state (SUNY) and city (CUNY) schools in New York.

"Our heroic servicemembers who fall in the line of duty and make the ultimate sacrifice to protect our nation are owed a debt of gratitude that can never truly be repaid," Brooks said. "I will continue to work with my colleagues in State government to have this important legislation passed into law."

According to Gene Ratigliano, State Commander for the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, this bill is especially important for those young military members who have young families and are usually at the lower end of the pay scale.

As a result of this bill, the children of these military members will have the opportunity to seek college educational opportunities they would otherwise be unable to secure.

"Passage of this bill will not only open the doors to educational opportunities for the military survivors but make those utilizing these benefits be better citizens enabling them to also better their communities in which they live," Ratigliano said.

The legislation advanced by Brooks and already co-sponsored by a bi-partisan group of Senators, takes into account the concerns raised by the VFW for the need to define "official duties."

In addition, the effective date was changed to April 1, 2020 rather than immediately as stated in the original proposal, to allow the state to appropriate funds in the budget.

"As an Aunt of a nephew in the Air Force, and a member of the Veterans Homeland Security, and Military Affairs Committee, I am dedicated to enacting policies that support our armed forces and their families," local Senator Monica Martinez said. "It is our duty as policy makers to prioritize protecting and honoring those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation."