BRUNO: SENATE PASSES NATIONAL GUARD TUITION BILL

Provides $300,000 to Cover Tuition Expenses

Monday, October 22, 2001

Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno today announced that the New York State Senate passed a bill (S. 5816) to provide $300,000 to cover the tuition expenses of almost 300 members of the State National Guard who are due to receive the benefits under the state's National Guard Recruitment and Retention Incentive Program.

"We made a promise and we're going to keep that promise," Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno said. "Now more than ever, we need to reward people who join the National Guard. They are our friends and neighbors who stand by us in times of crisis and covering the cost of their tuition is a small price to pay."

"This appropriation of funds is necessary to help keep our commitment to members of the National Guard who rightfully expected to receive the tuition benefit they were promised," said Senator Morahan, Chair of the Committee on Veterans and Military Affairs and sponsor of the legislation. "We offer college tuition assistance to young people willing to sign up for the National Guard in New York. In the past our enlistments have been declining and with the introduction of this program we have reversed that trend."

This bill immediately provides $300,000 from the General Fund for the payment of tuition benefits offered to eligible members of the State's organized militia. This appropriation makes it possible for approximately 300 eligible applicants to receive Recruitment and Retention Incentive Program benefits.

The Recruitment and Retention Incentive Program entitles any active member who has successfully completed their advanced individual training or other requirements set by the DMNA and who is a New York State resident, to a tuition benefit upon enrollment in a degree-producing curriculum in any institution.

The bill was sent to the Assembly.

[BIOGRAPHY] [DISTRICT MAP] [PHOTO GALLERY] [LEGISLATION] [CONSTITUENT SERVICES] [YOUR OPINION COUNTS] [GUESTBOOK] [PRIVACY POLICY] [SENATE INSIDER] [CONTACT INFO] [HOME/NEWS]