Yesterday, UUP President Fred Kowal released his statement (see below) in response to the State of the the State address by Governor Kathy Hochul.
“In her State of the State address, Gov. Hochul spoke of making New York more affordable and ending outward migration. That should translate into a massive investment in SUNY. No other state expenditure can match the incredible return on investment for our communities, on economic development, and on our future than an investment in SUNY.
“We are heartened to hear Gov. Hochul once again spotlight SUNY and the important work our members do. But we have communicated to her administration and the Legislature that none of the ambitious goals laid out over the last year by the governor can be achieved without providing the necessary resources to the entire SUNY system and to the workers who fulfill SUNY’s mission.
“There are 19 state-operated SUNY campuses with projected or structural multimillion-dollar deficits. SUNY campuses are an integral part of our communities. It’s not enough to only focus on select SUNY university centers.
“We applaud Gov. Hochul for identifying needed investment in mental health. This is a crisis that affects our students and their families, as well as our members across the state. I believe UUP and SUNY can be partners in addressing the shortage of mental health providers and improving mental health outcomes.
“We cannot fail our students and our communities by starving them of resources for fear of a possible recession. That will only limit the ability of New York to rebound if one were to occur, which is still uncertain. SUNY is an important economic engine, and one New York can employ to prevent a recession—and to springboard out of one if one occurs.
“We look forward to the Executive Budget presentation to see the proper support for our campuses and SUNY’s three public teaching hospitals. UUP stands ready to work with Gov. Hochul, new SUNY Chancellor John B. King, Jr. and the Legislature in building SUNY back, better than ever.”