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State Issues

NY State Flag The New York State Legislative Session officially convened on January 9, 2008, with the Governor's State-of-the-State Address. The Office of Government and Community Relations will continue to keep the University community informed of any relevant developments.

Highlights

-- Governor Paterson Presents to the Legislature.

Governor David Paterson addressed the Legislature in a joint-session of the New York State Legislature on his first day in office, March 17, 2008.

-- New York State Budget

On April 9, the Legislature approved the 08-09 budget. The higher education programs, such as TAP, Bundy Aid, HEOP, Liberty Partnership, STEP/C-STEP, were essentially level-funded. Please see our budget chart for specific data. Other projects of interest to SU that were funded in the budget include: the Connective Corridor ($20M); Say Yes to Education ($1M); Renaissance Internship Program ($100,000); Partnership for Better Education Project ($23,800) for Technology Kits; the Burton Blatt Institute High School Community Building Program ($15,000); and the SU Technology & Commercialization Law Center ($125,000).

The Legislature held a special session in mid-August which resulted in cuts to the previously enacted FY2008-09 budget. However, the legislature did not go along with some of the cuts proposed by the Governor. The Governor had proposed that some programs be cut by as much as 50%. The legislature rejected that idea and basically cut most programs across the board by 6%. Most of the 6% cuts are from each program’s unspent funds as of a certain date (i.e., August 15, 2008, or Sept. 1, 2008.) There were also some programs that were not cut – e.g. TAP, Say Yes to Education, and the NYS Science and Technology Law Center. Additionally, the Legislature committed to cutting member items by $50M but the legislation does not specify how they will distribute the cut or which member items will be cut. These are the cuts as curently outlined.

Legislation of Interest

    The Legislature passed a number of bills at the end of session, two of which are of interest to SU. Throughout the summer, bills passed by both houses will be sent to Governor Paterson for his signature or for his veto. We will update this section after the governor takes action on these two bills. That date is undetermined.

  • S.1117/A.2607: Syracuse University supports this bill which calls for increased penalties for hazing.
  • S.1344/A.2988: Certain swimming facilities required to have a defibrillator and staff trained in its use. PASSED BY BOTH HOUSES.
  • S.3063/A.8167: Syracuse University does not object to the "Textbook Access Act". PASSED BY BOTH HOUSES.
  • S.5850/A.8044 and S.3434: Syracuse University supports a "Bigger Better Bottle Bill" that expands the 1982 Returnable Container Act to include non-carbonated beverage containers such as water bottles.
  • S.6776/A.8985: Syracuse University supports this act which allows third parties to lawfully contribute to a State College Choice Tuition Savings Account. This bill was signed into law on May 21.
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