New York – After a meeting with Governor David Paterson this morning, Assemblyman Dov Hikind told VIN News in an exclusive interview that Governor Paterson will announce tomorrow that he is calling the state legislature back into session after election day and is determined to get the TAP bill passed before the end of his term.
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The Tuition Assistance Program, known as TAP would provide much needed assistance to financially strapped parents struggling to meet their yeshiva tuition obligations. Hikind stressed that both the Governor the state assembly and the state senate publicly support the TAP bill, but the bill has lingered due to the difficult economic climate.
“He is determined to get it done. He is committed to it,” said Hikind. “I am very, very happy. We hope with Hashem’s help that this will be a historic moment, something I have been waiting for for years. We are at the bottom of the ninth, two outs and with G-d’s help, this is going to be it.”
While gubernatorial hopeful Andrew Cuomo has come out in support of the TAP bill, the Governor made it clear to Hikind that he wants to be the one to pass the tuition assistance program.
“Governor Paterson is the one who originally put the TAP bill into the budget,” said Hikind. “I didn’t have to convince him. As soon as I raised the issue he told me, “We are getting it done.””
Better wil be for dov to stay quiet so as not to antagonize the opposing members of the legislature which is exactly what happened the previous time.
B’ezer hashem this will go through and will be a tremendous help for our yeshivos and facilities. But, lie low!
Yesssssssssss, with Hashem’s help that will be a historic moment,
I think I’m going to write in David Paterson’s name on the ballot on election day. I’m not happy with the current candidates.