Gov. Hochul’s proposed Executive Budget addresses some historic inequalities when it comes to SUNY’s financial programs. However, it does not go far enough to help the majority of SUNY campuses that have been damaged by 14 years of underfunding.
SUNY schools have proven to be regional economic drivers, returning over $8 to their communities for every $1 invested in SUNY. Tragically, we have seen record population loss across New York, drops in enrollment, and a loss of economic opportunity. At the same time, we’ve seen decreases in direct support for our campuses and public higher education. Without this funding our SUNY campuses, New York will never be able to rebuild and grow.
SUNY’s public teaching hospitals in Brooklyn, Stony Brook and Syracuse have treated thousands of COVID-19 patients and delivered tens of thousands of vaccinations to fight COVID-19. They provide state-of-the-art care to all, even those who can’t afford to pay for care. Our hospitals need public funding support now more than ever.
We urge our elected representatives in the state Assembly to push to include $250 million in additional funding for SUNY campuses and our public teaching hospitals in the 2022-2023 state budget.
