John critical of governor's proposed financial aid cut
Public and private college students threatened by slashing TAP as much as 50 percent

Assemblymember Susan John (D-Rochester/Chili//Wheatland/Rush/Riga) has criticized a report that the governor will propose slashing financial aid for New York college students by as much as 50 percent.

"One week after his appointees on the State University of New York Board of Trustees proposed raising tuition by 41 percent, we learn the governor may cut financial aid in half," John said. "This unbelievable one-two punch would force students to incur greater debt, or worse - drop out of college altogether."

The state's Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) is being targeted for massive cuts - perhaps as much as 50 percent - in the governor's 2003-04 budget proposal, which he will unveil next week, according to Friday's New York Times.

"SUNY students are already facing the largest tuition increase in their history - what amounts to a $1,400 per person tax hike. Now the governor wants to deny students financial help," John said. "Just when you thought it couldn't get any worse, the governor has another scheme to balance the budget at the expense of working families."

The governor attempted to cut TAP funding by one-third last year, but the Assembly successfully rejected the move. John said she and the Assembly will once again oppose these ill-advised TAP cuts, as well as the 41 percent SUNY tuition increase.

"The governor says he won't raise taxes this year, but in fact, he's imposing a back-door tax increase on some of those who can least afford it - college students," John concluded. "I'll fight for a budget that's fair to working families."