Assemblyman Robert Smullen (R,C,Ref-Meco) is co-sponsoring legislation to provide tuition assistance to family members who have lost loved ones in combat, and is dismayed that Assembly Majority rejected this proposal earlier today in committee.

A.2991 would provide free tuition to any SUNY or CUNY school through a “MERIT” scholarship for surviving family members of New York state military personnel who have died while performing official military duties. While the Assembly Majority just legalized free tuition for undocumented immigrants, Smullen, a retired Marine Corps Colonel, is fighting to provide the same for military families.

“It is unconscionable that Assembly Majority just legalized free tuition for undocumented immigrants but today rejected a proposal to do the same for families of fallen soldiers who are struggling to pay for college,” said Smullen. “Through my work with the Marine Corps-Law Enforcement Foundation I have seen firsthand the importance of providing assistance to grieving families who have lost loved ones in the line of duty. Today’s vote is a disappointing example of misplaced priorities.”