\tTom Golisano, as a third party candidate running under the label of Independent, can make policy announcements without fear of crossing party lines; he can try and change the system because he might not have to answer to it; he can present ambitious plans without worrying about their feasibility.
\tGolisanoOs most recent plan is to fund free college educations for all New York State students who have a B average or higher. This plan will make use of the projected $1.7 billion of lottery money that Golisano claims is being mismanaged, and it would take effect immediately after he is elected. While his plan is well-intentioned, there are too many unanswered questions regarding its implementation and ultimate effect on higher education.
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The proposed plan provides incentives for all potential college students in New York, whether the school they are attending is public or private. Students attending SUNY schools will receive free tuition, while those attending private institutions will receive an equivalency credit of $4,500. Regardless of personal circumstances, all students maintaining the necessary average will be rewarded. This is a tremendous opportunity, as students will be able to see tangible effects of their efforts in the short term.
\tHowever, the funding of the college educations of those students who can afford to pay for school is unfair to those who cannot. Undoubtedly, there will be affluent students with a B average accepting the free ride. While the potential number of eligible students for this incentive is unlimited, the money used to fund this endeavor are not. Golisano does not outline a back-up plan, should lottery receipts decrease in future years.
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Another flaw in GolisanoOs plan is that the money, while going to education, will still be misallocated. Because lottery money comes primarily from the lower classes, it was intended to supplement the funds of public elementary and secondary schools in poor school districts with a limited tax base. Under the proposed plan, the money will be used to fund the education of predominantly middle to upper class students.
\tShould the money be used to fund higher education rather than education at the elementary level, only students attending public schools should receive it; the money comes from the public and should return to the area from which it came.
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Another potential problem is that the students who most need the help - those from struggling school districts in poor urban areas with limited educational opportunities - might be ineligible for the tuition based on grades. These, however, are the students most in need of assistance. Golisano should be sure his plan includes these students, as well as borderline middle-class students who work hard in school but do not qualify for need-based aid.
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Commendable in theory, GolisanoOs plan is not practical. While he should be applauded for attempting to reform the allocation of lottery funds and return the money to the purpose for which it was originally intended, Golisano needs to revise his plan to be more effective and feasible.
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Public money gotten through the lottery should be reinvested into public systems and benefit those who need it most, in both the long and short term.
