Partnership For NYC President Kathryn Wylde Backs Gov. Cuomo's Prison Plan
BY GLENN BLAIN
Gov. Cuomo’s controversial proposal to provide college classes to state prisoners received an endorsement Wednesday from one of the city’s key business leaders.
Kathryn Wylde, president of the Partnership for New York City, hailed Cuomo’s proposal as a “fiscally prudent” measure that would ultimately reduce taxpayer costs by making prisoners better able to succeed once they get out of jail.
“Governor Cuomo’s initiative to provide college classes in New York prisons is both fiscally prudent and a benefit to society in general,” Wylde said in a statement. “It will allow incarcerated New Yorkers the chance to become productive citizens and employees after their release from prison. The Partnership for New York City’s NYC Jobs Blueprint estimates that there will be a 21% increase in New York City jobs requiring an associate’s degree or higher by 2020. Providing a college education to incarcerated individuals will allow them the chance to effectively participate in our economy and dramatically reduce recidivism that is so costly to the taxpayers of New York. The Partnership supports this program.”
Wylde’s statement follows a wave of criticism from conservative lawmakers who argued Cuomo’s proposal is a misuse of state taxpayer dollars. Two upstate senators have already launched a petition drive to defeat the plan and Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino – a likely candidate for governor - mocked the initiative during a radio interview Wednesday.
http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/2014/02/partnership-for-nyc-president-katheryn-wylde-backs-gov-cuomos-prison-plan
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