"The healthcare workers of 1199SEIU thank Governor Cuomo, Assemblyman Heastie, and Senator Klein for their successful effort to ensure tuition-free college for middle and lower-income New Yorkers going to school full time. Working families have been facing rising student debt and stagnant incomes for decades now, and higher education began to seem like it was only affordable for the privileged few. It is vital that our young people have the opportunity to go to college so they can get ahead and America can be a global leader in today’s information economy. This will provide significant relief for working families who are struggling to manage escalating tuition costs. We thank the Governor for his vision in making the dream of higher education a reality for tens of thousands of New Yorkers, now and in the future."

-George Gresham, President of 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East.