Higher Education
We live in a representative democracy — we choose our representatives, and they make policy choices on our behalf. Central to the success of any democracy is the ability of its people to be adequately informed about the issues of the day and the way in which their government works. In addition, an advanced society such as ours relies on the intellect and skills of its people to boost its economic vitality.
An important component to such successes is a quality, affordable system of higher education. NYPIRG has long promoted access to affordable, high quality college education for all students. Working with our sister organization, we have offered analyses that help make the case for enhanced state support for higher education institutions, both public and independent.
Buffalo advocates warn Gov. Hochul not to compromise CLCPA (Buffalo Toronto Public Media, March 6, 2026)
Local environmentalists call for NY climate law implementation (The Buffalo News, March 6, 2026)
Republicans in New York continue to call for the repeal of state's climate law (WAMC, March 4, 2026)
Students Rally for Higher Education Funding in Albany (The New Paltz Oracle, March 4, 2026)
As New York Energy Costs Surge, Attention Turns to Landmark Climate Law (The New York Times, March 4, 2026)
Governor Hochul threatens N.Y.'s climate laws (WAMC, March 3, 2026)
Groups Oppose Hochul on Weakening Climate Law (The Santuary for Independent Media, March 3, 2026)
Green energy advocates call leaked NYSERDA memo “red herring”, cost claims ‘exaggerated’ (WHEC, March 3, 2026)
Activists Decry Wall Street, Call for NYC Public Bank (Village View, March 2, 2026)
Flush with donations, Gov. Hochul opts out of matching program for re-election campaign (WXXI, February 23, 2026)
Why so many are blasting the SAVE America Act as voter suppression (Amsterdam News, February 19, 2026)
The effort to impact the 2026 election (WAMC, February 18, 2026)
NY Climate Law Under Fire, Federal Assault on Our Health: Time for Bipartisan Citizen Unity? (Healthy Planet Radio Show, February 13, 2026)
New York mulls moratorium on new data centers (ABC News 10, February 6, 2026)
NYPIRG's Blair Horner talks data center moratorium legislation (Rochester First, February 6, 2026)
Democrats in New York propose moratorium on new data centers (AOL.com, February 6, 2026)
Groups blast New York energy direction (Fingerlakes 1, February 5, 2026)
Policy Director Blair Horner discusses the state budget, the environment, higher education and much more (WAMC, February 5, 2026)
Will the Governor use the budget to undermine New York’s climate law? (WAMC, February 3, 2026)
Mid-Hudson organizations urge state lawmakers to protect Climate Law (Daily Freeman, January 31, 2026)
Advocates and Legislators in Syracuse Urge Lawmakers to Protect Historic NY Climate Law
Environmental Groups and Government Watchdogs in Buffalo Urge Lawmakers to “Say No” to the Hochul Administration’s Effort to Gut Climate Law in Budget Negotiations
Climate and community groups join with lawmakers to “Say No” to the Hochul administration’s effort to gut climate law in budget negotiations
Release: As Energy Bills Skyrocket, Sen. Harckham and Advocates Debunk Gov. Hochul's Manufactured Crisis and Faulty Math
NYPIRG and over 300 groups today called on New York lawmakers to include modernization of the state returnable container law (aka “The Bottle Bill”) in the final budget plan.
NYPIRG Statement on the U.S. House of Representatives Passage of the Save America Act
Over 100 organizations, statewide, express collective opposition to alarming trends in New York’s energy policies
NYPIRG applauds U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand’s recent public statement and submitted amicus brief challenging the efforts by the oil industry and its allies to overturn New York’s Climate Superfund law.
Straphangers Campaign Releases Best &
Worst Moments in NYC Transit List for 2025
On the two-year anniversary of New York’s “Solid Waste Management Plan,” a broad coalition of over 300 groups today called on Governor Kathy Hochul to include modernization of the state returnable container law (aka “The Bottle Bill”) in her executive budget plan, scheduled to be released next month. The groups say it makes sense for the bill to be in the budget since it would both increase revenue for the state and track one of the recommendations of the state’s “Solid Waste Management Plan.”
VICTORY! NYPIRG’s Statement on Governor Hochul Signing the Bill to End the “100-Foot Rule”
NEWS RELEASE: NYPIRG’s Statement on the House Passage of the SPEED Act (H.R. 4776)
A coalition of community and environmental organizations today released emission data on the air pollution impacts of the use of gas-powered lawn equipment like leaf blowers. State lawmakers, NYPIRG, Environment America and the Clean Quiet Alliance released county-by-county data showing how much climate pollution is created by gas-powered lawn mowers, weed whackers, leaf blowers, chainsaws and other garden equipment. The groups also released information on the dozens of New York localities that have placed restrictions or bans on the use of some gas-powered lawn equipment. Over 100 organizations urged Governor Hochul to act to establish an incentive program to help local governments and landscaping companies shift from gas to battery powered lawn equipment.
NYPIRG’s Statement on Governor Hochul's Delay of the All Electric Buildings Act
NYPIRG NEWS RELEASE: 2025 “Trouble in Toyland” Toy Safety Report Release
NYPIRG Releases PIRG's 40th Annual Trouble In Toyland Report
Bill McKibben, Advocates, Legislators Report $1.2 Trillion in Profits
for Big Oil Companies from 2021-2025 Year-to-Date,
Call on Governor Hochul to
Stop Climate Polluter Handouts in her Executive Budget.
As the Largest Oil Companies Continue to Reap Massive Profits, Bill McKibben Joins
Lawmakers and NY Advocates Arguing for Repeal of $350 Million in Annual Fossil Fuel
Subsidies to Help Address New York’s Affordability Crisis
NYPIRG NEWS RELEASE: A coalition of environmentalists, charities, and civic groups today released a compliance check survey showing a widespread failure of retailers to post a Bottle Bill “Bill of Rights” sign as required by state law. The survey of nearly 300 retailers across New York State found that 80 percent failed to visibly post the signs and that more than 10 percent more did not post those signs at the “point of sale” as required by the state.
NYPIRG’s Statement on Governor Hochul’s Approval of Fracked Gas Williams “NESE” Pipeline
Release: 2025 Pokey and Schleppie Awards Bestowed to Slowest and Least Reliable Buses. New Mazel Award Touts Most Improved Bus Routes