R.I. Gave Free Tuition to 91 Disabled Police And Families
May 09--PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- At least 91 sons and daughters of "permanently disabled" Rhode Island police officers and firefighters received free college tuition at state schools in 2010-2011, according to information released by the state Department of Labor.
The benefit cost the state $594,191.
The information was made public after a Journal inquiry. The state released the names of the former public employees who received tuition breaks for themselves or their families. The state did not release the names of the sons or daughters who got the breaks.
The list included the sons and daughters of some well-known former public employees, including Patrolwoman Barbara Texeira Sherman, who won a Providence disability pension after one day on the job in 1987.
Copyright 2012 - The Providence Journal, R.I.