NEWS RELEASE

For Release February 8, 2005  

NYPIRG: GOV BUDGET HARMFUL TO COLLEGES AND STUDENTS; TUITION HIKES AND TAP CUTS “EGREGIOUS COMBINATION”

URGE LEGISLATURE TO REJECT PROPOSAL AND INVEST IN HIGHER ED

The New York Public Interest Research Group (NYPIRG) today testified before the Senate Finance and Assembly Ways and Means and Higher Education Committees regarding Governor Pataki’s Executive Budget.

“We are particularly concerned with the combination of tuition hikes and financial aid cuts and what that might mean for current and future college students,” said Miriam Kramer, NYPIRG’s higher education coordinator. “This egregious combination will potentially price some of New York’s finest students out of college.”

College students—some clad in caps and gowns and armed with signs—joined NYPIRG to oppose the governor’s budget for 2005-2006. They urged the governor to “take it back” and rescind his proposals during the 30-day amendment period.

In their testimony, NYPIRG asked legislators to reject the governor’s recommendations and negotiate a budget that invests in higher education.

“New York’s economic future lies in its brainpower,” said Joel Kelsey, NYPIRG’s chairperson. “Proposals that make college less affordable harm the state’s long-term economy. Everyone agrees the state is facing tough fiscal problems, but tuition hikes and cuts to financial aid on will only worsen the problem, not make it better.”

NYPIRG urged the legislature to:

Download NYPIRG’s Testimony (pdf)

For more information contact Miriam Kramer