Responsible New York supports the Public Higher Education Empowerment and Innovation Act proposed by Governor Paterson.  This legislation will provide the State University of New York (SUNY) and the City University of New York (CUNY) with greater operational independence through measures that will eliminate burdensome overregulations on contracting, procurement, land use, and other areas.  The legislation will also put a rational tuition policy in place where SUNY and CUNY trustees may implement a “fair, equitable and responsible tuition policy that would provide the universities with the discretion to raise tuition incrementally up to an annual cap of two and one half times the five-year rolling average.”

These landmark reforms would essentially remove the micromanaging done by Albany and provide more independence to SUNY and CUNY so they may adapt in this ever-changing and competitive economy. 

We support this piece of legislation and urge the Senate and Assembly to pass the bill during the 2010 Session.  Reforms such as fostering public-private research and partnerships will help New York’s future and aid in propelling the economy forward. 

According to Paterson, these reforms will “create more than 2,200 faculty positions, 7,000 staff positions, and 43,000 construction jobs on SUNY university and medical centers.”

Legislation such as this will improve the economic well-being of the state and we need more of it.

Governor Paterson’s press release is available at: www.ny.gov/governor/press/press_01151001.html