COLLEGE DEMOCRATS OF NEW YORK URGE LEGISLATORS TO PASS TUITION-FREE NY BILL

PRESS RELEASE

ALBANY, N.Y. – The College Democrats of New York (CDNY) took to the Capitol on Tuesday in an effort to lobby members of the New York State Legislature to pass the Tuition-Free NY bill, a proposal which would give New York students free tuition at SUNY and CUNY schools conditional on their completion of community service and establishing permanent residency in the State of New York.

“This bill is an innovative way to put college within the reach of deserving young New Yorkers and prevent the brain drain of young people leaving our state,” said College Democrats of New York President Colin Crowley. “CDNY applauds strong leaders like Assemblyman Skoufis for having the foresight to do the right thing for the next generation of New York students.”

The bill, A. 8585, was introduced by Assemblyman James Skoufis (D-Woodbury). While in Albany, CDNY members from across the state met with Assemblyman Skoufis and took meetings in the offices of Senator Kevin Parker and Assembly Members Deborah Glick, Patricia Fahy, Bill Magee, Richard Gottfried, Charles Lavine, and Steve Englebright.

“Tuition-Free NY is about making college more accessible and more affordable for our students and families while injecting volunteerism and economic life into our communities. The College Democrats of New York get that, which is why I’m extremely grateful for their support as we continue to push forward with our legislation,” said Assemblyman James Skoufis (D-Woodbury).

The Tuition-Free NY program would provide full tuition scholarships to New York students who perform 250 hours of community service (125 hours for STEM students) annually. Upon graduation, students who benefited from the program would be required to establish residency in New York State for five years.

College Democrats of New York was established as an official outreach arm of the New York State Democratic Party. Today, as an affiliate of College Democrats of America, CDNY is committed to empowering young progressives. The students involved in CDNY work diligently to help elect strong progressive Democrats in the state of New York and across the country.