Assemblyman Karl Brabenec (R,C,I-Deerpark) today blasted Assembly Majority for blocking a bill that would have helped the family members of military members who lost their lives in the line of duty attend SUNY or CUNY institutions.

The legislation, which Brabenec sponsors, is a bipartisan effort to award ‘MERIT’ scholarships to the dependents of New York state military personnel who lose their lives in the performance of their official military duties.

Chair of the Higher Education Committee, Deborah Glick (D-Manhattan) remarked how this measure was an “entitlement” and justified her no vote by saying that budgetary items should not be passed outside the budget. Meanwhile the Assembly Majority recently approved giving free college aid to illegal aliens separate from the budget on January 23 which will cost taxpayers over $20 million.

“When it comes to illegal aliens and those who have broken our nation’s laws, Assembly Majority has no problem backing up the Brinks truck, but when we offer help to military families, they turn their backs,” Brabenec said. “The priorities of New York City politicians and Assembly Majority become more insulting and dangerous by the day. This is a slap in the face to the brave men and women who have served our country valiantly.”