UUP faced a daunting task: how to rally support from the state Legislature for additional funding for SUNY in the midst of a financial crisis. But union members numbering more than 100 rose to meet the challenge, coming to Albany Feb. 24 to meet face-to-face with lawmakers during UUP’s Legislative Information Day.
“We have the worst year that we’ve had in a long time,” UUP President Phillip Smith said in his opening address. “The budget knife has gone deep into the bone. We (SUNY) can’t absorb any more cuts.”
Smith called on lawmakers to come to the aid of SUNY by restoring most if not all of the $148 million cut during the 2008-09 fiscal year as well as increasing the University’s operating budget. He clearly spelled out the consequences of inaction.
“We’re going to have fewer faculty and support staff to serve students, and our quality academic programs and support services are going to be seriously jeopardized,” Smith said. “What we’re talking about here are courses being cancelled, and graduations being delayed. Some of our students may have to attend an additional semester, or maybe an additional year to get the courses that they need. That’s costly, it’s unfair and it’s just intolerable.”
Smith also mentioned other legislative priorities, including restoring $25 million and adding an additional $40 million in the state subsidy for SUNY’s three teaching hospitals and rejection of the governor’s plan to remove UUP’s negotiated 3 percent pay increase for this year.
Nearly three dozen lawmakers were there to hear the message, and to connect with UUP members who staffed exhibits and displays that were arranged by campus locations to make it easier for legislators to mingle with their UUP constituents.
Fifteen legislators took their turn at the podium, all affirming their support of SUNY and recognizing the University’s role as a major economic engine for the state.
Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith (D-Queens)—one of three legislative leaders to speak—strongly hinted that more money could be coming to SUNY.
“This Legislature is smart enough to recognize when in fact there may need to be some changes made,” he said. “We understand the need to revisit what we’ve done.” Smith referred to the state’s deficit-reduction plan which called for at least 80 percent of the revenues from SUNY’s tuition hike to go to the state’s general fund.
Senate Minority Leader Dean Skelos (R-Rockville Center) continued his earlier criticism of the siphoning of the increased tuition income. “We have to make sure that the tuition money stolen from SUNY is restored,” he said.
Assembly Minority Leader Jim Tedisco (R-Schenectady) described the tuition takeout as an abomination, and said UUPers shouldn’t have to shoulder the burden caused by the state’s deficit.
“You shouldn’t have this fall on your back or have to carry it. There should be no decrease in what we’re doing for you, there should be more input for you,” he said.
Sen. Toby Stavisky (D-Queens), the new chair of the Senate Higher Education Committee, agreed with UUP, saying higher education had taken a terrible hit in the budget. She proclaimed that with SUNY, “You get a Tiffany product at Target prices.” Stavisky also showed her admiration for UUP’s legislative slogan.
“I can’t agree with your slogan more, because SUNY is the solution,” she said.
“Let’s put our money where our mouth is. Education is our priority,” Assembly Majority Leader Ron Canestrari (D-Cohoes) said. He suggested an additional revenue stream is needed to support higher education. But Canestrari drew the strongest applause of the day when he emphatically spoke out against the proposal to merge the New York State Theatre Institute with The Egg.
“Yes, we will stop the merger of NYSTI. We will not tolerate that,” he said.
In a conclusion that couldn’t have been better if it were scripted, Assemblyman Mark Schroeder (D-Buffalo)—the final speaker—drew the admiration of UUP for his remarks against the 2020 bill that would grant unprecedented autonomy to the University of Buffalo and which fails to protect union jobs.
“I was signed onto the bill until I read every single word,” he said. “Now I’m off the bill until they amend it to include you and your labor brothers and sisters from the building trades.”
With the governor unable to realize his original goal of having a new state budget in place by March 1, UUP extended its ambitious political action agenda right through April 1, the day the new budget is officially due.
In addition to NYSUT Higher Education Lobby Day March 3 and NYSUT’s Committee of 100 March 24, UUP conducted
a series of advocacy days in Albany March 17 and 31. And advocacy efforts extended beyond Albany, as UUPers met with legislators in home districts each Friday in March.
UUP’s advocacy efforts that began in January included dozens of visits with state legislators in their Albany and district offices.
— Donald Feldstein