To the Editor,
I’m a PEF retiree and my wife is a retired teacher. Our son is graduating from high school and will begin college this fall.
The program he is pursuing isn’t offered at any NYS community college. I only found two state universities that offer the program. One had 27,000 students apply for 2,000 freshman seats and the other already had met its enrollment limit for the program by the time my son applied in early January
.
With no other choice, our son enrolled in a private college, filled out all the necessary forms, was advised of his TAP (NYS Tuition Assistance Program) award, paid the deposit, received his class schedule, and we figured out how to pay this huge expense.
However, on April 29, I received an e-mail from NYS Higher Education Services Corp. stating it was revising the calculation for eligibility for TAP awards for the 2009-10 academic year to now include income from public pensions. That was the first indication I had regarding any revisions in TAP awards.
So, four months prior to my son reporting for college on August 27, we were told we are losing $4,500 per year in our TAP award. Now, we are faced with the problem of making up that huge deficit.
I don't see how Gov. David Paterson can help resolve the state budget deficit by this unconscionable act. How many retirees have kids in college?
Shame on you, Gov. Paterson, again!
MICHAEL MICHANIW
Rotterdam
Wants equal marriage rights
To the Editor,
In April, I and a group of other Syracuse-area residents met with our state senator to discuss his position on same-sex marriage, and to thank him for his support of the Dignity for All Students Act and the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act.
We focused on the issues of civil rights for all NYS residents and the 1,324 rights and responsibilities that New York grants to married couples, but currently denies to same-sex couples.
We also stressed the difference between religious and civil marriage. A civil marriage is a state-sanctioned contract between two people who have promised to love, honor and care for each other. The couple may choose a religious ceremony or not. A bill before the state Assembly would prohibit any member of the clergy from being compelled to perform any marriage ceremony.
Four days later, several of us joined more than 2,000 New Yorkers in Albany for the Empire State Pride Agenda’s “Equality and Justice Day.” For us, denying people legal protection simply because of their sexual orientation is state-sanctioned discrimination.
We want New York to join five other states and seven countries in recognizing the equal civil rights of all citizens to choose a lifelong partner as they see fit.
Please call your state legislators and ask them to support marriage equality for all New Yorkers.
For more information about this legislation go to www.prideagenda.org
KATHLEEN KEARNEY
Syracuse
The Communicator Letters policy
We welcome letters to the editor about union issues and events relevant to PEF's diverse membership. All letters are subject to editing for space, fairness and good taste.
Please keep them brief (up to one page, double-spaced or a maximum of 250 words), and please include your name and phone number for verification.
Send letters to thecommunicator@pef.org:
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Public Employees Federation
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Albany, N.Y. 12212-2414
Email to Sherry Halbrook, Editor or Darcy Wells, Editor-In Chief
