PRISONERS GET A FREE DEGREE, WHAT ABOUT YOU AND ME?

To the Editor,

Re: Governor Cuomo’s plan to use public money to fund college for prisoners, which I call the “Commit the crime, get free education for your time” scholarship, do not have to be paid back by the prisoner. It is a “free money” opportunity. The proposal is to spend up to $ 5,000 an inmate to help them achieve a college degree!

Families that are experiencing financial hardships so their children and grandchildren can continue on to college, would ‘love” to have the same opportunity. An answer to your problem, may be, get New York State to be your cosigner, and they become responsible for paying the loan. As delicious as this recommendation is, the governor’s plan should “die” in “committee.”

I believe we, as citizens of New York State, should contact our state legislators, Senator Greg Ball, Senator David Carlucci, Senator William Larkin Jr. Assemblywoman Ellen Jaffee, Assemblyman Kenneth Zebrowski and inform them that we oppose this plan.

“In a republic the first rule for the guidance of the citizen is obedience to law.” – Calvin Coolidge

Sincerely,

John E. Long
Garnerville