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.
Trial Lawyers, Consumer Advocates Respond to New Report Showing Insurers Deny Half of All Auto Insurance Claims (Morning Star, April 16, 2026)
'Energy hog' bus tour takes aim at data centers around New York (Buffalo-Toronto Public Media, April 16, 2026)
NYPIRG Panel Advocates for Affordable Healthcare (New Paltz Oracle, April 15, 2026)
Commentary: A fix for gambling, emissions and AI's ills (The Daily Gazette, April 12, 2026)
NY elections officials have sued nearly 300 campaigns as enforcement increases (Times Union, April 9, 2026)
Shrestha, health advocates push for universal health care (Daily Freeman, April 9, 2026)
Beyond Plastic's Judith Enck continues battle against plastic usage (Times Union, April 9, 2026)
Stony Brook Students Rally for SUNY Funding (The South Shore Press, April 7, 2026)
Buffalo Common Council Member Leah Halton-Pope likely to replace Assembly Member Crystal Peoples-Stokes (City & State, April 7, 2026)
Hochul’s climate act delay meets opposition (Riverhead Local, April 5 2026)
We deserve bold climate action, not backtracking (Cortland Standard, April 4, 2026)
Governor Hochul and New York’s late budget (WAMC, April 3, 2026)
Does a late state budget really matter? This Albany watchdog says yes (Spectrum News, April 3, 2026)
Climate activists rally against Hochul plan (Massapequa Herald, April 2, 2026)
Republicans Seek Protections for Oil Giants Against Climate Lawsuits (The New York Times, April 2, 2026)
'Gaslighting governor' - Hundreds protest Hochul climate law proposal (LoHud.com, March 26, 2026)
NYC Conflicts of Interest Board declines to clarify electioneering rules (City Limits, March 26, 2026)
Senator Shelley Mayer, Assemblymember Chris Burdick, Colleagues, and Advocates Urge the Final State Budget Include Critical Funding for SUNY and CUNY Capital Needs (Yonkers Times, March 25, 2026)
Legislators say SUNY, CUNY face $7B maintenance backlog (ABC News 10, March 24, 2026 )
Hochul Unveils 11th-Hour Push to Defang New York’s Climate Law (City Limits, March 23, 2026)
Statewide 'Energy Hog' Bus Tour Targeting Power-hungry Data Centers Trots through Syracuse - Community Groups, Advocates, and Students urge Hochul to Curb Energy-Intensive Infrastructure and Uphold State Climate Law
Release: NYPIRG Reacts to Governor Hochul’s Proposal to Secretly Negotiate Rolling Back the Nation’s Leading Energy Affordability Climate Law During the Budget Process
Release: New York Shortchanges Independent Colleges by Tens of Millions of Dollars: NYPIRG Urges Lawmakers to Boost Aid as Part of Final Budget
Release: As the Largest Oil Companies Continue to Reap Massive Profits, NYPIRG Urges Repeal of $350 Million in Annual Fossil Fuel Subsidies to Help Address New York’s Affordability Crisis
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