Assemblyman Dave McDonough (R,C,I-Merrick) today called on Governor Cuomo to keep the funding of New York State’s Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) separate from the DREAM Act. McDonough expressed concern that this is an all-or- nothing approach, and the governor is essentially threatening to remove TAP funding from the budget altogether. McDonough also emphasized the tremendous role TAP plays in helping aspiring college students attend their desired institutions.

“TAP is an essential program for thousands of college students across New York State,” McDonough said. “The governor should not be playing politics with a program that served over 370,000 students last year. Bills as controversial as the DREAM Act should be debated outside of budget negotiations. This method of budget negotiations is unfair to families that already are struggling to afford college and university tuition amid continuously rising prices. The average TAP award is approximately $2,500, without which a student may have to bear costly student loans or not be able to afford college textbooks and supplies.”

McDonough’s comments came after it was revealed that Governor Cuomo has linked TAP funding to the passage of the DREAM Act. Since 1974, more than 5.2 million college students have received in excess of $22 billion in TAP funds.