White Plains CitizeNetReporter - <i>Adam In Albany:</i>Governer's SUNY Tuition Hike the Wrong Move.

WPCNR'S ADAM BRADLEY REPORT. By 89th District Assemblyman Adam T. Bradley. January 10, 2003: It will be even harder for Westchester’s students to go to college this year if Governor Pataki and his appointees on the SUNY Board of Trustees have their way. The Trustees recently approved increasing tuition at most community colleges, and all signs point to a significant tuition hike proposal for four-year colleges and universities. In fact, The New York Daily News has reported that the tuition hike could increase by up to $1,000 a year.

For the past eight years, the governor has attempted to slash aid to SUNY students, proposing $1.8 billion in cuts to higher education during his tenure. In fact, New York received a failing grade when it comes to college affordability, according to a November 2002 study issued by the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education.

Between 1990 and 2000, taxpayer support of higher education decreased by 22 percent, while costs and fees skyrocketed by 97 percent at New York’s four-year public colleges and universities, according to a study by the New York Public Interest Research Group. Average tuition and fees at a four-year state college or university are already $4,062 a year – making SUNY the 14th most expensive public university system in the nation, according to NYPIRG.

Let’s remember that the last time tuition was increased, attendance at SUNY colleges declined by an estimated 30,000 full- and part-time students over several years.

Westchester’s students and families don’t need a tuition hike – especially now in our struggling economy.

These difficult fiscal times will require some tough choices. However, it cannot be at the expense of Westchester students. A quality higher education will prepare students for the jobs of the future and, in turn, will be an engine for economic growth. If we want to prepare our kids for a modern world and strengthen the economy, we must make higher education accessible.

I stand committed to improving our colleges and universities. During the upcoming budget negotiations and my first legislative session, I will work to protect our investment in higher education, and hold the line on SUNY tuition.

Note: Assemblyman Adam Bradley has been an active Assemblyman for three days. Today, he issues his first Adam In Albany Report to WPCNR. The report is also circulated to others of your favorite media, including The Harrison Report, Lewisboro Ledger, Suburban Street.com, and PoliticsNY.com.


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