Higher Education

Graduation Day photo
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.

Despite Hochul’s Vow, Her Policies Have Indirectly Aided Husband’s Firm  (The New York Times, May 28, 2023)
Brooklyn Women's Bar Association hosts seminar on security deposits  (Brooklyn Daily Eagle, May 25, 2023)
How to Save a Community College The City University of New York has long exemplified the teeming possibilities of higher education - Now its devotees are fighting for its survival.  (The New Republic, May 25, 2023)
Will Albany protect voters from illness?  (WAMC, May 22, 2023)
Group asks DEC why it reversed Seneca Energy non-compliance claim  (Finger Lakes Times, May 20, 2023)
Bill to make Big Oil pay $3 billion annually for NY’s climate costs gains support  (Gothamist, May 19, 2023)
As Supreme Court tosses political corruption convictions, debate rages over who's at fault  (Newsday, May 19, 2023)
Will a pandemic-era absentee ballot provision return?  (Spectrum News, May 18, 2023)
Proposed New York law puts big oil on hook for climate change  (Spectrum News, May 17, 2023)
Hochul’s climate law fumble roils budget talks  (Politico, May 16, 2023)
State DEC, Toxic Landfill in Cahoots? You be the Judge.  (Niagara Falls Reporter, May 16, 2023)
New York State can protect tropical forests  (WAMC, May 16, 2023)
Fear of COVID-19 no longer a valid reason to get them  (Newsday, May 14, 2023)
Hochul Gambled On A Late Budget; Did It Pay Off?  (Gotham Gazette, May 11, 2023)
N.Y. lawmakers push legislation to close ethical loopholes before session ends  (Spectrum News, May 10, 2023)
Albany wraps up budget, sprints to end of session  (WAMC, May 8, 2023)
Hochul’s late budget strategy seems like it worked  (City & State, May 8, 2023)
NY greenlights gas ban for new buildings. What does that mean for gas stoves?  (LoHud.com, May 8, 2023)
NY greenlights gas ban for new buildings. What does that mean for gas stoves?  (Democrat & Chronicle, May 8, 2023)
Budget breakdown: Details on late State budget  (My Twin Tiers, May 5, 2023)
News Archive
Congressmen Goldman and Nadler joined with NYS legislators, NYPIRG and other advocates to call on Albany leadership to make corporate climate polluters pay
Video – Disinformation: The Fossil Fuel Industry's Campaign to Undermine New York's Climate Act
VICTORY! NYPIRG Celebrates First in the Nation Law to Electrify New Buildings
Statement: NYPIRG Reacts to Gov Hochul Leaving Climate Change Superfund Out of the Budget
As Albany Negotiates a State Budget, NYC College Students Call for Free and Reduced Price Transit Fares for Education Access
Faith Leaders, Environmentalists, Senators: New York Needs to Show The Nation How to Tackle Climate Catastrophe - Groups Urge Albany Lawmakers to Include Green Power, Big Oil Superfund in Final Budget
NYPIRG REACTS TO ONE-HOUSE BUDGET BILLS – This week, both houses released their "one house" budget bills. Now lawmakers' attention will turn to negotiating differences. Here are key policy areas where NYPIRG has advocated and for which the Governor, the Senate, and the Assembly have established budget positions.
Release: New York’s Tobacco Control Efforts are “Up In Smoke” Due to Shrinking State Support
Report: Up In Smoke: Billions from Tobacco Use, Pennies for New York’s Tobacco Control
REPORT: Rebuild by Design releases the report “Atlas of Disaster: New York State” that identifies the impacts of recent climate disasters across New York State at the county level, for the years 2011-2021.
Top Big Oil Corporations Announce Record $215 Billion 2022 Profits – New Yorkers Tell Albany Leaders: Make Climate Polluters Pay!
NYPIRG and New Yorkers for Fiscal Fairness Release Policy Paper on Economic Benefits of Higher Education
NYPIRG Reacts to the Governor's 2023-2024 Executive Budget
Statewide Poll Finds New Yorkers Strongly Support “Bottle Bill” Program Expansion
150 Organizations Call on Governor to Include Modernized “Bottle Bill” in Budget
Advocates to Governor Hochul: Make "greedy" oil companies pay for climate damages! In Albany, standing in the shadow of a giant inflatable pig, a coalition of environmentalists called on the governor to make the world’s largest oil companies pay for the staggering infrastructure costs of dealing with climate change. The groups estimated that those costs could total $100 billion in New York over the next decade, with more expenses as the world’s climate worsens.
Ahead of the 2023 State of the State, more than 200 groups released a letter sent to Governor Hochul urging her to make big oil companies, not taxpayers, financially responsible for the growing climate damages facing the state.
Environmental & Climate Groups Urge Governor to Sign Right to Repair Bill
Senior, Consumer, Disability, And Civic Organizations Urge Governor Hochul to Approve the “Grieving Families Act” - Legislation Passed with Overwhelming Bipartisan Majorities, but has Not Yet Been Sent to the Governor
NYPIRG Statement on Climate Action Council’s Approval of Its Scoping Plan
NYPIRG Reacts to Independent Redistricting Commission Proposed Assembly Boundaries
Reports & Features Archive