LOBBY LEGISLATURE, URGING REJECTION OF GOVERNOR PATAKI’S HIGHER EDUCATION BUDGET PROPOSAL

Hundreds of State University of New York (SUNY), City University of New York (CUNY), and independent university students from Buffalo to Brooklyn traveled to Albany today to meet with legislators to urge for increased funding for higher education. Students held a news conference and rally as well as met face-to-face with legislators and their staff, advocating for their cause through personal stories and experiences.
"The Governor has shortchanged college students in his Executive Budget," said Camille Rivera, NYPIRG Board of Directors Chairperson and CUNY Queens College student. "We are here today to urge the legislature to reverse the Governor’s cuts and to re-invest in higher education."

Students stressed the importance of an affordable, accessible, quality higher education and the following main points:

• Rejection of the Governor’s TAP proposal;
  
• Restoration of the "bare-bones" cuts to opportunity programs and childcare; and
  
• Increased funding for SUNY and CUNY senior and community colleges.

During their meetings, students emphasized how budget cuts directly impact their personal lives and studies. "I receive all my financial aid money from these programs; I’ve already lost $600 in EOP funding this semester and may lose another $500 a semester in TAP," said Heather LaRuez, a SUNY Buffalo State College student. "If the cuts go through, I will be forced to drop out of school."

"With years of bare minimum funding from the state, students are often unable to get into the classes they need to graduate," said Brian Levine, a SUNY Albany student. "This is a real concrete problem and can only be solved with more funding, not more political rhetoric," he added.

Later this month, the Assembly and Senate are expected to make their budget recommendations and begin the budget negotiation process with the Executive to finalize the state budget by the start of the fiscal year on April 1. For the past 17 years, the budget has been late.