On the heels of a press conference held by Assembly Minority Leader Brian M. Kolb (R,C,I,Ref-Canandaigua), Assemblyman Dave McDonough (R,C,I-Merrick) is calling for a vote on a package of higher education proposals that will increase awards under New York’s Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) and increase the income threshold for students to qualify for the program. Furthermore, the package includes a measure to make student loan principal paid by recent graduates tax deductible.

“A better-educated New York will pay astronomical dividends in the future for New York State,” McDonough said. “Our plan is much more inclusive than the governor’s taxpayer-funded free college giveaway and assists those pursuing a graduate or advanced degree by allowing them to access TAP. We need to make the college dream accessible for all New Yorkers and allow them to learn the skills necessary to compete in today’s highly-competitive job market. I am calling on Assembly leadership to bring these measures to the floor for a vote immediately.”