December 12, 2001
7:27 PM   Subscribe

As the September 11 Fund gets ready to release another 75 million dollars in aid money to the victims of the World Trade Center attacks, the House O.K.'s an 11.3 billion dollar aid program for New York City, and the scholarship fund for Trade Center families gets under way, Governor Pataki hands a memo to the struggling State University of New York school system demanding zero budget growth for this fiscal year and a continued tuition freeze. Oh yeah, and he doesn't want anyone to get laid off, either. Of course New York City took the brunt of the attack, but isn't it about time to remember that an entire state took a serious financial blow?
posted by xyzzy (9 comments total)
 
There was more detail in the dead trees version of the paper, the highlight being a quote from Assembly Higher Education Chairman Edward Sullivan:

"And what? Is teh Easter Bunny going to come down and do something? That's nonsense."
posted by xyzzy at 7:30 PM on December 12, 2001


I may get crucified for this... but... I'm kind of disturbed by something... is taxpayer money going toward the scholarship funds for WTC victims?

While from one side it's a good thing... I'm just not sure it's the right thing... I mean, I can understand aid being given to WTC victims for covering hospital expenses, funeral and burial expenses, etc... It's a kind gesture and it helps them out... And I can even understand a certain amount of "free money" being given out to families who likely lost the member who was bringing home the sole income...

But paying for college educations? I'm not really sure why this is being done. I don't see how it ties in to the tragedy at all.

And what of the families who didn't have (or yet have) children? They're not entitled to the same "help" that those who get the scholarships are.

I'm just confused as to why the scholarships are being given, and yes, as cold as it is, I guess I'm against it... Can anyone shed some light on this?
posted by twiggy at 8:49 PM on December 12, 2001


New York City, financially, *is* New York State.
posted by Mo Nickels at 9:16 PM on December 12, 2001


Since the article mentions TAP, which is our state-sponsored tuition assistance program (my payment was late due to a delayed state budget), I can only imagine that at least part of this will be funded with taxpayer money.

Considering this program comes from a Governor who has repeatedly attempted to cut TAP funding, I find this entire enterprise offensive.

I tried to find out exactly where the money was coming from, but failed.

Sure, help the WTC families, but don't shaft the SUNY system at the same time. The SUNY schools will certainly suffer as a result of Pataki's plans, and it won't be NYC people taking the burden.

Somehow, Mo Nickels, I suspect that most NYC state money goes right back into NYC. Of the 19 million people living in New York State, only 8 million live in New York City. New York State is NOT New York City.
posted by xyzzy at 10:01 PM on December 12, 2001


Politics seems to be about *special interest* groups and the occasional kneejerk reaction, intertwined of course with the ongoing conspiracy to take over even more than yesterday; with the NATO AWACS here, are the black helicopters far behind? (the river of money is obvious this time, thats all).
posted by Mack Twain at 1:53 AM on December 13, 2001


Of the 19 million people living in New York State, only 8 million live in New York City
I'd be willing to bet that a large number of those other 11 million either work in NYC, or provide a service to the people who work in NYC.
posted by nprigoda at 6:24 AM on December 13, 2001


There is a certain amount of irony in the fact that New York State has been operating without a budget since the start of the fiscal year.
posted by DBAPaul at 9:58 AM on December 13, 2001


nprigoda: "I'd be willing to bet that a large number of those other 11 million either work in NYC, or provide a service to the people who work in NYC."

I would point out that one shouldn't imply that the 8 million people who live in NYC actually work there (or even work anywhere) and further point out the fact that a great many people working in NYC don't live in New York State.

You are correct in your bet that many New Yorkers not in NYC provide a service to the people of NYC. My daily work does provide a direct service to the people of NYC (as well as the rest of New York State).

and since I'm here I'll just point out that while the SUNY page says "Bobby Approved" (ie meeting accessibility guidelines) which New York State says must be met, it doesn't.
posted by DBAPaul at 10:43 AM on December 13, 2001


All good points DBAPaul. =) My original point was to point out that perhaps the term "victim of the World Trade Center tragedy" might reasonably expand to all taxpaying citizens of New York State, and not just those who live in New York City.

In my mother's school district (she's a teacher) they are closing two schools as a result of the state budget loss, which they directly hinge on the WTC attacks. Although it is obvious that the effects are widespread, as a New Yorker I find it sad that little attention is given to the rest of the state.
posted by xyzzy at 12:29 PM on December 13, 2001


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