Albany, N.Y. - Republicans in the minority in the state Assembly have launched an online petition calling for the so-called Gold Star Families Bill to be brought up for a vote.
The bill would expand merit scholarships for the families of deceased or disabled military veterans.
An Assembly committee voted last week to hold the bill, and not send it to the floor for a vote.
Some Assembly members criticized that decision after lawmakers passed a state budget that includes tuition aid for illegal immigrants.