Following a press conference in Albany this morning, Assemblyman Dave McDonough (R,C,I-Merrick) is calling for passage of common-sense legislation that will help middle-class families afford college education and offer solutions to the growing epidemic of student loan debt in New York. The measures include establishing tax credits for student loan payments, applying the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) to graduate courses, and offering more apprenticeships and professional experience to high school students.

“As a leading proponent of Long Island education, I can attest to the severity of this problem,” McDonough said. “Hardworking, middle-class families are struggling to afford a college education for their children, and that is unacceptable. Every student should be allowed the opportunity to achieve their dreams and escape the shackles of poverty and destitution regardless of the life they were born into. By investing in our students’ future, we will drive down crime rates, stimulate the economy, and lower everyone’s taxes. I hope the Assembly Majority will stand with our students and college graduates to address this prevailing problem.”