Page 6 - QT Edition #2 01-08-26

PAGE 6 THE QUEENS TIMES THURSDAY, JANUARY 8, 2026

Assemblywoman Hyndman Secures Financial Aid & College
Admission For Online High School Graduates

admission to SUNY and CUNY career training.
or denied Tuition Assistance Pro- Key Impacts of A.7390:
gram (TAP) funding unless they • Unlocks Financial Aid: Gradu-
took an additional High School ates of eligible online programs
Equivalency exam. can now apply for TAP (Tuition
The new law, authored by As- Assistance Program), opening
semblywoman Hyndman, elimi- millions of dollars in potential aid
nates this barrier. Effective im- to low-income students.
mediately, New York residents • Guarantees Fair Admissions:
who earn a diploma from an online SUNY and CUNY institutions
high school accredited in accor- can now recognize these diplomas
dance with Job Corps standards for New York residents just as they
are fully eligible for admission do for out-of-state applicants.
to state colleges and for state fi- • Supports Workforce Devel-
nancial aid. opment: By recognizing Job
“Education evolves, and our Corps-aligned programs, the
laws must evolve with it,” said state encourages career-technical
Assemblywoman Hyndman, the education pathways.
New Legislation Ends “Double Chair of the Assembly Commit- “This is about tearing down the
Standard” That Blocked NY tee on Higher Education. “For too invisible walls that keep working-
Residents with Online Diplomas long, we penalized ambitious New class families out of the middle
from SUNY, CUNY, and TAP Yorkers who completed rigorous class,” Assemblywoman Hynd-
Funding online programs—often through man continued. “As Chair of
Job Corps—while rolling out the Higher Education, my mandate
Assemblywoman Alicia L. red carpet for out-of-state students is to ensure that every student
Hyndman announced a major with the same degree. This law - traditional or non-traditional -
legislative victory for educational ends that hypocrisy. We are send- has a fair shot at the American
equity following the signing of ing a clear message: if you put in Dream. This law is a critical step
A.7390, legislation that restores the work to earn your diploma, in modernizing our system to meet Park Side Restaurant
college access and financial aid New York State will support your students where they are.”
eligibility for New York students path to a college degree, regardless The law takes effect in 90 days,
who graduate from accredited of whether your classroom was just in time for students applying Queens’Finest Italian Restaurant
online high school programs. physical or digital.” for the upcoming academic year.
Previously, New York State law The legislation is particularly Assemblymember Hyndman
created a baffling double stan- impactful for non-traditional stu- represents the 29th District in
dard: colleges could admit out- dents and those in workforce Southeast Queens. A champion for
of-state students with online high development programs like Job educational equity and economic
school diplomas, but New York Corps, which partner with online justice, she serves as the Chair
residents with the exact same cre- high schools to allow students to of the Assembly Committee on
dentials were often blocked from tailor their curriculum toward Higher Education.

Liu Statement On New CDC Vaccination Guidelines
authorize pharmacists to admin- also other long-standing vaccines
ister FDA-approved vaccines, for children, such as hepatitis, RSV,
stated the following about today’s and other preventable illnesses that About Park Side Restaurant - An Italian Landmark in the heart of Corona,
announcement by the Centers for continue to hospitalize and kill Queens, Park Side Restaurant is truly a destination that is worth the trip.
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“2026 just began, and already the for decades to combat through vac- detail served by our professional staff. Park Side is also happy to host your
Trump administration is wasting cination advocacy sends a danger- next function with our private dining area and flexible banquet packages.
no time in its resolve to harm the ous signal that they are no longer
American people by reducing the a threat. I urge all New Yorkers to
number of vaccines recommended follow the guidance of their doctors 107-01 Corona Ave. Corona Heights, NY
for our children. As New York and continue to vaccinate against (718) 271-9274 • (718) 271-9871
reports record high flu hospitaliza- harmful viruses. In New York, we - Reservations Suggested -
tions, it is incomprehensible that will continue to do everything in
the Trump administration’s Health our power to protect the public’s
State Senator John Liu, Chair Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. health and make the best recom-
of the Senate Committee on NYC would move to not only remove mendations for our children and
Education and author of S8495 to recommendations for the flu, but families.”
Gillibrand, Colleagues’ Honoring Our Fallen Heroes

Act Signed Into Law

or become permanently disabled our firefighters who put their lives
from service-related cancers. on the line every day to keep us
“New Yorkers know that our safe, and for their loved ones,” said
firefighters and first responders Senator Klobuchar. “This biparti-
are selfless heroes who rush into san legislation will ensure that the
danger every day to protect our Public Safety Officers’ Benefits
communities. But we also know Program covers service-related
their fight does not end when cancers—honoring the commit-
their shift does, and that many ment we make to our firefighters
are exposed to dangerous health like Captain Paidar and other first
risks that can surface years later. responders who made the ultimate
When these heroes face health sacrifice.”
challenges or lose their lives as “Our first responders epitomize
a result of their service, they courage and selfless sacrifice,
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and their families must be sup- confronting both the immediate
(D-NY), along with Senators Amy ported,” said Senator Gillibrand. perils of their duty which are
Klobuchar (D-MN) and Kevin “I’m grateful that our legislation extreme and the lingering health
Cramer (R-ND), announced that has been signed into law, and I risks associated with their ser-
their Honoring Our Fallen Heroes will continue fighting to ensure vice,” said Senator Cramer. “Their
Act has been signed into law. The our first responders receive the exposure to dangerous carcino-
bipartisan legislation expands critical support they deserve after gens happens on our behalf. When
access to federal support for the dedicating their lives to keeping these heroes make the ultimate
families of firefighters and other our communities safe.”
first responders who pass away “This is a critical victory for (Continued on page 8)