Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush (R,C,I-Black River) is among many members of the Assembly minority who are strongly opposed to Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s proposal to reinstate college programs for inmates in the state’s prisons.

“The governor’s recent proposal to give taxpayer-funded college educations to incarcerated criminals is a slap in the face to hardworking, law-abiding New Yorkers,” said Blankenbush, who represents the 117th Assembly District, including the St. Lawrence County towns of DeKalb, Gouverneur, Hermon, Russell, Edwards, Fowler, and Pitcairn.

“This push demonstrates that our governor has forgotten the many families who are scrimping and saving to send their children to college. He is ignoring the struggle of the many working adults who are juggling multiple jobs to pay for their own college degrees. This proposal is patently unfair to law-abiding New Yorkers.

“Student debt is at an all-time high and New York state can barely fund our K-12 public schools; it is unconceivable that the governor is prioritizing the interests of criminals over those of law-abiding New Yorkers. He is clearly out-of-touch with struggling New York families. I am vehemently opposed to this and will work diligently on behalf of New York’s hard-working, law-abiding families to block this proposal,” a statement from the assemblyman’s office said.