Today in Albany, the Assembly Majority voted down legislation that would have expanded college affordability for middle-class families. Assemblyman Karl Brabenec (R,C,I-Deerpark) denounced the decision and criticized New York City Politicians for trying to provide free college tuition to illegal aliens over New York citizens. Brabenec sponsors the “affordable college scholarship program,” or ACES, which would allow a student at a SUNY or CUNY institution to receive a Bachelor’s Degree for $10,000 based on academic merit.

“I am outraged that the Assembly Majority would rather hand out freebies to illegal aliens on our dime than make college more affordable for hard-working middle-class families,” Brabenec said. “In a time when student loan debt is through the roof and more students are choosing public universities and colleges, this program would help prospective college students earn a degree with little to no debt, provided they continue to meet the grade requirements. Money should never be the reason someone fails to achieve their goals. This is insulting to every high school student desperately trying to make their dreams a reality and falling short for financial reasons.”