Res 0628-2024

Whereas, New York State (NYS) Assembly bill A.9205A, introduced on February 16, 2024, by State Assembly Member Marianne Buttenschon, would expand eligibility for New York State Veterans Tuition Awards (VTA) to all Veterans residing in New York State, regardless of whether they have served in active combat; and Whereas, Companion NYS Senate bill S.8596A, introduced on February 20, 2024, by State Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton, representing Senate District 23 covering parts of Staten Island and Brooklyn, would call for the same expansion of eligibility; and Whereas, A.9205A/S.8596A were passed unanimously in the NYS Legislature in June, 2024; and Whereas, According to the memorandum in support of A.9205A/S.8596A, all Veterans residing in NYS "are deserving of an opportunity" to access NYS higher education through the tuition benefits already provided by NYS; and Whereas, The memorandum also states that, because the current VTA program is limited to Veterans who served in active combat, it is "alienating countless" servicemembers who did not serve in active combat roles, but nonetheless served their country with pride; and Whereas, The memorandum further states that this legislation would both end this inequity and "deliver much needed access for New York's veterans to fulfill their educational ambitions"; and Whereas, The VTA program covers the cost of tuition for the equivalent of eight full-time semesters at a tuition rate not to exceed the tuition at the State University of New York; and Whereas, The VTA program is available to be used by NYS residents working toward an undergraduate or graduate degree or studying in an approved vocational training program full time or part time in NYS; and Whereas, This legislation would take effect immediately upon signing by the NYS Governor Kathy Hochul; and Whereas, NYS is one of only 20 states that provide tuition assistance to their resident Veterans; and Whereas, Of the over 675,000 Veterans residing in NYS, many of the more than 135,000 of them residing in New York City, including both Veterans who served in active combat and Veterans who did not, could benefit from this legislation; now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls on the New York State Governor to sign A.9205A/S.8596A, which has already passed the New York State Legislature, to expand eligibility for New York State Veterans Tuition Awards to all Veterans residing in New York State, regardless of active combat service. LS #17560 10/9/2024 RHP 2