Assembly Eyes Expanding Ed. Pgms.
Assemblywoman Catherine Nolan co-sponsored an immigration town hall with both City Council Speaker Christine Quinn and Assemblyman Francisco Moya last Thursday, Mar. 28, at LaGuardia Community College in Long Island City.
“Immigration is a very important issue for the many residents in our district” said Nolan. The event allowed residents to ask questions and receive information about the many issues regarding immigration.
The Assembly’s budget proposal included $975 million appropriation for the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) which is an increase of $25 million from the proposed Executive Budget. The additional funds would cover the estimated cost of the DREAM Act. TAP will also provide tuition assistance for all who meet the eligibility requirements.
Moya added, “Immigrants from all walks of life have enriched this city and the borough of Queens from the dawn of this city’s founding. At this Town Hall and in kitchen table conversations across this State, the momentum for a New York State DREAM Act is continuing to grow. The time has come to show the strength of our immigrant communities and the diverse benefits they will bring to our social and economic fabric”.
Nolan also announced that the legislation had included an additional appropriation of $1 million for the creation of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Transition Fund, a program designed to provide educational service and support for outof school youth and young adults who are eligible for the federal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.
This necessary program was supported by both the New York State Board of Regents and the State Education Department.
“I am very pleased that the Assembly fought successfully in getting this program into the enacted state budget,” said Nolan. “This program will allow the State Education De- partment to build on existing programs in order to help these young students and adults achieve their dream of completing their education.”
