Senate Finance Committee and Assembly Ways and Means Committee (Joint)

New York's higher education system faces a critical juncture as state lawmakers heard testimony on Governor Hochul's proposed 2025-2026 budget during a joint legislative hearing on February 25. The hearing revealed significant gaps between what the administration is proposing and what educators, students, and advocates say is needed to maintain quality and access. Chancel King of SUNY and Chancellor Félix Matos Rodríguez of CUNY both praised the Governor's budget proposals but highlighted substantial unmet needs. King reported SUNY's enrollment increased 3.4% last fall—the first back-to-back systemwide increases in 15 years—with 52% of in-state undergraduates attending tuition-free. However, he warned that proposed federal research funding cuts could cost SUNY $79-80 million, threatening medical research and other critical programs. Matos Rodríguez reported CUNY's 5% enrollment growth over two years but emphasized that an additional $34 million is needed to fully cover faculty wage increases from a recently ratified collective bargaining agreement. The Chancellor praised the Governor's Opportunity Promise Scholarship providing free community college tuition for adults 25-55 in high-demand fields, but community college leaders warned the program cannot succeed without an additional $100 million in operational funding. George Cushman, chair of the New York Community College Trustees, detailed specific needs: $30 million for faculty and staff salaries (nursing faculty lag hospital wages by 32%), $30 million for high-cost programs (healthcare requires 1:8 faculty-to-student ratios versus 1:30 for liberal arts), $30 million for program expansion, and $10 million for student support services. Faculty and staff unions expressed concerns about underfunding. Dr. Frederick Kowal of United University Professions called for $212.1 million in additional operating aid, with $102 million directly allocated to 17 SUNY campuses with structural deficits. He also advocated for an additional $250 million in capital funding for SUNY Downstate Medical Center beyond the Executive Budget's $750 million. Student testimony highlighted basic needs crises. Daniel Reden, CUNY University Student Trustee, noted that transportation costs exceed $9,000 annually and that there are only nine counselors for 11,000 students at York College. Gabrielle Lerner, representing non-traditional students, reported that approximately 92,805 student parents lack access to on-campus childcare despite one-in-five college students being parents. Advocates warned of threats to opportunity programs. Blair Horner of NYPIRG highlighted that Bundy Aid—which peaked at $114 million in 1989—now receives only $22 million (adjusted for inflation should be $260 million), contributing to financial distress at independent colleges. Renaldo Alba warned that cuts to STEP and CSTEP programs in the new five-year contract cycle (2025-2030) will result in permanent elimination of projects. Chair Liz Krueger of the Senate Finance Committee delivered a sobering message, warning that federal budget cuts targeting hundreds of billions in spending will likely reduce state resources for higher education, healthcare, housing, and environmental programs. She urged all stakeholders to prepare for more difficult budget conversations ahead. The hearing underscored a fundamental tension: while the Governor's budget includes significant investments—including $114 million for SUNY state-operated campuses, $96 million for CUNY senior colleges, and $47 million for the Opportunity Promise Scholarship—educators and students argue these investments fall short of what's needed to maintain quality, access, and affordability in the face of rising costs, federal threats, and basic student needs like food security and mental health services.