Could Trump’s Department of Education Changes Hit NY Students Hard?

We sit down on with Assembly Labor Committee Chair Harry Bronson (D - Monroe County) the push for the Work Opportunity Tax Credit and other labor priorities in the state budget. President Donald Trump has moved to dismantle the federal education department - potentially putting funding for pell grants in limbo. We unpack the concerns around these cuts and the push to get increased funding for tuition assistance.

 

EXPLORE MORE: nynow.org

Episode Transcript

(00:01):
[ THEME MUSIC ]
>> WELCOME TO THIS WEEK'S
EDITION OF "NEW YORK NOW."
I'M SHANTEL DESTRA.

(00:22):
AMONG THE MANY PRIORITIES BEING
FLOATED AS LEADERS NEGOTIATE THE
FINAL STATE BUDGET, LABOR
ADVOCATES AND STATE LAWMAKERS
ARE HOPING TO INCLUDE THE WORK
OPPORTUNITY TAX CREDIT.
THIS IS A TAX CREDIT THAT WOULD
BE GIVEN TO EMPLOYERS IF AND
WHEN THEY HIRE PEOPLE FROM
SPECIFIC GROUPS.
THE GROUPS INCLUDE VETERANS,

(00:44):
YOUTH EMPLOYEES AND EX-FELONS,
AMONG OTHERS.
WHILE THIS IS A MEASURE THAT WAS
FIRST INTRODUCED IN THE
LEGISLATURE BACK IN 2021,
LAWMAKERS ARE HOPEFUL IT WILL BE
INCLUDED IN THE STATE BUDGET
THIS YEAR.
THIS IS BECAUSE OF GROWING
SUPPORT AT THE STATE CAPITOL.
TO UNDERSTAND THE IMPACTS AND
LOGISTICS OF THE WORK

(01:04):
OPPORTUNITY TAX CREDIT, WE SAT
DOWN WITH ASSEMBLY LABOR
COMMITTEE CHAIR, HARRY BRONSON,
HERE'S THAT DISCUSSION.
[ THEME MUSIC ]
THANK YOU FOR JOINING ME HERE
TODAY, ASSEMBLY MEMBER.
IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT
YOU'VE BEEN PUSHING FOR THE WORK
OPPORTUNITY TAX CREDIT IN THIS
YEAR'S STATE BUDGET.
SO CAN YOU GIVE OUR VIEWERS SOME
INSIGHT INTO THAT TAX CREDIT AND

(01:26):
HOW IT MIGHT IMPACT THEIR LIVES?
>> ABSOLUTELY.
THAT'S RELATED TO MY OVERARCHING
OBJECTIVE WHICH I HAD BOTH WHEN
I WAS CHAIR OF THE ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE AND NOW
THAT I'M CHAIR OF THE LABOR
COMMITTEE.
AND THAT IS, HOW DO WE CREATE
OPPORTUNITIES FOR FOLKS AND IN
PARTICULAR, HOW DO WE BRING
FOLKS WHO HAVE BEEN ON THE

(01:47):
ECONOMIC AND WORKFORCE SIDE
LINES FOR FAR TOO LONG?
HOW DO WE BRING THEM INTO THE
ECONOMY AND HELP THEM
PARTICIPATE AS A MIDDLE CLASS
WAGE EARNER?
SO THE WORKER-- THE WORK
OPPORTUNITY TAX CREDIT WOULD
MIRROR THE PARAMETERS THAT EXIST
UNDER A FEDERAL TAX CREDIT THAT
SETS FORTH A NUMBER OF CRITERIA.

(02:07):
SO IT WOULD BE VETERANS, PEOPLE
WITH DISABILITIES, PEOPLE IN THE
HOUSEHOLD THAT IS LIVING ON
SOCIAL SECURITY INCOME OR FOLKS
WHO ARE ON SNAP BENEFITS, OR
FOLKS DISCONNECTED BOTH FROM
EDUCATION AND THE WORKFORCE.
SO THIS WOULD OFFER A TAX CREDIT
AND INCENTIVIZE AND ENCOURAGE
BUSINESSES TO HIRE THOSE FOLKS.

(02:29):
IF THEY DO, THEY GET A TAX
CREDIT.
SO OUR PROPOSAL IS GOING TO BE
$30 MILLION FOR A THREE-YEAR
PERIOD.
SO THAT WOULD BE A $90 MILLION
INVESTMENT TO ENCOURAGE THE
HIRING OF FOLKS WHO HAD BEEN
MARGINALIZED IN THE PAST.
THIS MEASURE IS SUPPORTED BY THE
BUSINESS COUNCIL.

(02:49):
IT'S SUPPORTED BY LABOR UNIONS
AND IT'S SUPPORTED BY
ORGANIZATIONS REPRESENTING
PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AND
ORGANIZATIONS REPRESENTING
VETERANS.
>> AND IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING
THAT THIS MEASURE WAS FIRST
INTRODUCED A FEW YEARS ABACK IN
2021 AND THERE'S BEEN A
CONSISTENT PUSH AROUND IT IN THE
YEAR SINCE.
SO WHAT MAKES THIS YEAR DIFFERENT?
WHY ARE YOU HOPING IT GETS
PASSED THIS YEAR?

(03:10):
>> WELL, THE ASSEMBLY IS GOING
TO BE PUSHING THE MEASURE.
I'M GOING TO BE LEADING IN THAT
PUSH.
BUT WE HAVE A COALITION OF FOLKS
WHO HAVE JOINED US.
THERE ARE A LOT MORE LABOR
UNIONS WHO ARE NOW SUPPORTED.
WE HAVE THE BLACK, PUERTO RICAN,
HISPANIC, ASIAN CAUCUS.
THIS IS PART OF THEIR PEOPLES

(03:31):
AGENDA.
SO THEY HAVE JOINED US AND SO,
YOU KNOW, I THINK WITH BOTH THE
BUSINESS COUNCIL, LABOR, THE
CAUCUS AND OTHERS SUPPORTING
THIS, WE HAVE A GOOD CHANCE OF
GETTING IT DONE THIS YEAR.
>> AND AS THE EXECUTIVE CHAMBER
AND LEGISLATIVE LEADERS, YOU
KNOW, NEGOTIATE THE STATE BUDGET
THIS YEAR, WHAT ARE YOU EXCITED

(03:52):
ABOUT IN TERMS OF LABOR?
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR IN THE
ONE-HOUSE BUDGET PROPOSALS, FOR
EXAMPLE?
THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS.
ONE IS WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.
SO THOSE PROGRAMS.
I'M A HUGE SUPPORTER OF THE
APPRENTICESHIP MODEL OF TRAINING
WORKERS.
BECAUSE YOU GET PAID WHILE
YOU'RE GETTING TRAINED.
YOU DON'T HAVE TO FOREGO GETTING

(04:13):
A PAYCHECK WHILE YOU'RE LEARNING
HOW TO DO THE JOB.
SO WE HAVE THOSE IN THE
CONSTRUCTION TRADES.
ADVANCED MANUFACTURING WHICH IS
REALLY KEY BECAUSE WE HAVE
MICRON COMING TO THE STATE.
WE HAVE A NUMBER OF AREAS,
INCLUDING ROCHESTER, MY AREA,
DESIGNATED AS HIGH-TECH HUBS.
ALL OF THAT WILL REQUIRE

(04:33):
SIGNIFICANT TRAINING.
WE HAVE FUNDED THAT IN THE
BUDGET.
WE'RE ALSO GOING TO FUND IN OUR
ONE-HOUSE THE CLIMATE JOBS
INSTITUTE WHICH IS A PROGRAM
RUNED BY CORNELL, WHICH WILL
MAKE SURE AS WE TRANSITION TO
THE GREEN ECONOMY, ANOTHER
OPPORTUNITY WE HAVE IN OUR
ECONOMY WE HAVE RIGHT NOW, WHEN
WE MAKE THAT TRANSITION, IT'S A

(04:53):
JUST TRANSITION.
JUST FROM A STANDPOINT IF YOU
HAVE WORKERS IN THE FOSSIL
INDUSTRY, HOW DO WE SCALE THEM
SO THEY CAN WORK IN THE GREEN
ENERGY?
ALSO, HOW CAN WE NOW TAKE
ADVANTAGE OF FOLKS WHO HAVE BEEN
ON THE SIDE LINES AND
MARGINALIZE, HOW DO WE GET THEM
TRAINING SO THEY CAN PARTICIPATE
IN THE GREEN ECONOMY?
SO WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT IS KEY

(05:14):
IN FUNDING THOSE PROGRAMS ACROSS
THE STATE.
ALSO, WE HAVE A HUGE PROPOSAL.
THE UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE, AS
MANY PEOPLE KNOW, BACK IN 2020,
BECAUSE OF COVID, WE HAD TO
BORROW MONEY FROM THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT TO PAY OUR
UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE BENEFITS.
WHEN YOU BORROW MONTHLY FROM THE

(05:35):
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, WHICH YOU'RE
OBLIGATED TO DO BECAUSE THIS IS
A FEDERAL AND A STATE PROGRAM,
THEN YOU CAN NO LONGER INCREASE
BENEFITS AS LONG AS THAT DEBT
EXISTS.
SO BENEFITS FOR PEOPLE GOING ON
UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE HAS NOT
INCREASED SINCE THE 2019 RATES.
AND WE HAD A SCHEDULED INCREASE

(05:55):
TO GET IT TO AVERAGE WEEKLY WAGE
AND INDEX THEREAFTER, AFTER
2026.
SO WHAT WE'RE PROPOSING IS LET'S
PAY OFF THE DEBT.
IT'S A $7 BILLION COST.
THAT'S HUGE.
BUT IT BENEFITS WORKERS AND IT
BENEFITS EMPLOYERS.
IN PARTICULAR, SMALL EMPLOYERS.

(06:17):
SO RIGHT NOW, TO PAY THE
INTEREST OFF, EMPLOYERS ARE
ASSESSED AN INTEREST PAYMENT,
RIGHT.
THE GOVERNOR'S PROPOSAL IS TO
PAY DOWN THAT INTEREST IN JUNE
OF THIS YEAR.
THAT'S IN HER BUDGET.
IT'S $165 MILLION.
THAT DOESN'T GO FAR ENOUGH.
WE NEED TO PAY OFF THIS DEBT AND
WE NEED TO DO IT QUICKLY BECAUSE

(06:39):
THERE ARE REAL CONCERNS OUR
ECONOMY MAY GO IN THE DOWNTURN
OR VERY MUCH POSSIBLY IN A
RECESSION GIVEN THE STEPS THAT
PRESIDENT TRUMP IS CURRENTLY
TAKING.
SO OUR PROPOSAL $7 BILLION PAY
OFF THE DEBT.
PLUS, WE'RE GOING TO INCREASE
THE BENEFITS, THE WEEKLY
BENEFITS SO THAT IT WILL MIRROR

(07:02):
WHAT THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN IF WE
HAD STAYED ON THE SCHEDULE OF
INCREASES.
WE'RE ALSO GOING TO REDUCE THE
WAIT PERIOD THAT INDIVIDUALS
THAT GO OUT ON LEGAL STRIKES
USED TO BE SEVEN WEEKS' WAIT FOR
THEM IN, I THINK, 2020 OR 2022.
WE REDUCED THAT DOWN TO SEVERAL

(07:23):
WEEKS.
WE WANT TO GET IT DOWN SO THAT
THEIR WAIT PERIOD IS THE SAME AS
ANY OTHER WORKER WHO GOES ON
UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE, WHICH IS
A SEVEN-DAY PERIOD.
THEN IN ADDITION, ANOTHER
BENEFIT CHANGE THAT WE WANT TO
MAKE, AND WE'RE GOING TO PROPOSE
IN OUR ONE-HOUSE BUDGET, IS TO
MAKE SURE THAT WHEN TEACHERS AND
HIGHER EDUCATION FACULTY

(07:44):
MEMBERS, IF THEY HAVE A BREAK IN
SERVICE, WHETHER IT'S IN
ACADEMIC YEARS FOR THE SUMMER
AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE, THAT
WE NEED SOME LANGUAGE CHANGES SO
THEY'RE ENTITLED TO RECEIVE
UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE.
THAT'S A REALLY BIG THING THAT
IS GOING TO BE IN THE BUDGET
THAT'S A REALLY BIG THING.
WORKERS COMPENSATION, WE MAY END

(08:04):
UP HAVING SOME DISCUSSION.
WE'RE GOING TO REDACT THE
PROPOSALS MADE BY THE GOVERNOR
SIMPLY BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE A
FISCAL COMPONENT TO THEM.
THEY'RE REALLY POLICY, BUT IF WE
END UP NEGOTIATING WORKERS COMP,
WE HAVE SOME IDEAS ON HOW TO
IMPROVE THE WORKERS COMP SYSTEM.
THEN LASTLY, ANOTHER BIG ITEM IS

(08:26):
THE TEMPORARY DISABILITY
INSURANCE BENEFITS.
WE CAME VERY CLOSE TO GETTING
THAT IN THE BUDGET LAST YEAR.
WE WERE NOT SUCCESSFUL IN
GETTING A THREE-WAY AGREEMENT.
WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO HAVING
THOSE NEGOTIATIONS AGAIN.
TEMPORARY DISABILITY INSURANCE
COVERS A PERSON WHO IS INJURED
OUTSIDE THE JOB, BUT THEY GET
PAID THROUGH WHAT WE CALL TDI,

(08:48):
TEMPORARY DISABILITY INSURANCE.
CURRENTLY, THAT WEEKLY AMOUNT IS
ONLY $170.
WE NEED TO GET THAT INCREASED
AND SO WE'RE GOING TO TRY TO GET
THAT THROUGH THE BUDGET AS WELL.
>> AND THINKING BACK TO LAST
YEAR, I THINK WHEN I LOOK AT THE
LABOR PRIORITIES, THERE WAS A
LARGE FOCUS ON PROTECTIONS FOR
WAREHOUSE WORKERS, NAIL SALON
WORKERS, THINGS OF THAT NATURE.
SO HOW WERE YOU HOPING TO BUILD

(09:09):
ON THOSE EFFORTS THIS YEAR?
>> YEAH. I'M REALLY GLAD YOU
BROUGHT THAT UP.
SO WE HAVE DONE FASHION WORKERS
PROTECTION, WAREHOUSE INJURY
PROTECTIONS, A BILL I CARRIED.
THIS YEAR, WE'RE GOING TO BE
FOCUSING ON WHAT WE CALL THE
TEMP BILL.
THIS WOULD REQUIRE PROVISIONS TO
BE PUT IN BY EMPLOYERS TO

(09:29):
ADDRESS EXTREME HEAT IN THE
WORKPLACE.
WHETHER THE WORKPLACE IS INSIDE
OR OUTSIDE.
SO WE'RE LOOKING RIGHT NOW TO
GET FURTHER COMMENTS FROM FOLKS.
I'VE BEEN VISITING AND MET WITH
FOLKS IN THE AGRICULTURE
INDUSTRY, IN THE WAREHOUSE
INDUSTRY, IN THE TRUCKING
INDUSTRY SO THAT WE CAN COME

(09:51):
TOGETHER AND PUT TOGETHER A BILL
THAT REALLY WORKS.
EVERYBODY AGREES.
WE HAVE TO KEEP OUR WORKERS SAFE
FROM HEAT EXPOSURE, EXTREME HEAT
EXPOSURE.
IN FACT, IN MY AREA, THERE WAS A
YOUNG MAN WHO JUST STARTED A
CONSTRUCTION JOB.
HIS FATHER GOT HIM A
CONSTRUCTION JOB.
HE DIED FROM HEAT EXPOSURE IN A

(10:13):
WEEK.
WE CAN’T HAVE THAT HAPPEN ON OUR JOB SITES
WE ARE WORKING TO GET THIS DONE.
IT'S ALSO VITALLY IMPORTANT WE
DO THIS YEAR BECAUSE AT THE
FEDERAL LEVEL THROUGH OSHA, THEY
HAD PROPOSED UNDER THE BIDEN
ADMINISTRATION TEMPERATURE
SAFETY GUIDELINES.
THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION HAS
PULLED THOSE BACK.

(10:34):
SO THEY'RE NOT GOING TO DO
ANYTHING ON THE FEDERAL LEVEL,
WE DEFINITELY HAVE TO DO
SOMETHING ON THE STATE LEVEL.
>> AND WHEN IT COMES TO
POTENTIAL THREATS ON THE FEDERAL
LEVEL THAT MIGHT IMPACT WORKERS
IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR, HOW SHOULD
THE STATE LEGISLATURE BE LOOKING
AT PROTECTING THOSE WORKERS?
>> SO AS CHAIR OF THE LABOR
COMMITTEE, I'VE BEEN MEETING
WITH STATE LEGISLATORS ACROSS

(10:56):
THE COUNTRY.
SOME OF THEM ARE CHAIRS OF THEIR
RESPECTIVE LABOR COMMITTEES.
SOME ARE JUST LEADERS IN THE
AREA OF LABOR.
WE HAVE ANOTHER MEETING ON
FRIDAY.
WE'RE LOOKING-- YOU KNOW, IN NEW
YORK STATE, WE'RE IN A DECENT
POSITION WHEN IT COMES TO WHAT
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CAN DO
BECAUSE OF OUR CONSTITUTION THAT

(11:19):
PROTECTS THE RIGHT TO
COLLECTIVELY BARGAIN, OUR
CONSTITUTION THAT REQUIRES
PREVAILING WAGES TO BE PAID ON
PUBLIC WORKSITES AND THINGS OF
THAT NATURE, AND WE'VE EMBEDDED
A LOT OF THINGS IN OUR STATUTES
AS A RESULT.
WE'RE IN DECENT POSITION, BUT
WE'RE STILL-- COULD HAVE
PROBLEMS.
I MENTIONED OSHA AND THE TEMP

(11:40):
GUIDELINES.
SO IF THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION
CONTINUES TO TRY TO MANEUVER
THINGS IN OSHA, WHICH IS THE
SAFETY OF WORKERS, THEN WE'RE
GOING TO HAVE TO DO SOMETHING
HERE AT THE STATE LEVEL.
THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION DID TRY
TO MESS WITH, IF YOU WILL, THE

(12:00):
NATIONAL RELATIONS LABOR BOARD,
AND THEY-- HE DID IT BY REMOVING
ONE OF THE BOARD MEMBERS, WHICH
MEANT THEY NO LONGER HAD A
QUORUM.
SO IF A COLLECTIVE BARGAINING
DISAGREEMENT OR AN ORGANIZING
DISAGREEMENT WERE TO BE

(12:22):
CONTESTED, THE BOARD DID NOT
HAVE A QUORUM AT THE FEDERAL
LEVEL TO REVIEW IT.
FORTUNATELY, A FEW DAYS AGO, I
COURT REINSTATED THAT BOARD
MEMBER.
SO THOSE ARE THE KINDS OF THINGS
THAT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO
CONTINUE TO HAVE TO LOOK AT.
YOU KNOW, I HAVE MORE BROADLY
HAVE A LOT OF CONCERNS AS THE

(12:42):
MEMBER OF THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY.
MY COMMUNITY IS UNDER ATTACK,
ESPECIALLY TRANS INDIVIDUALS AND
GENDER NON-CONFORMING
INDIVIDUALS ARE UNDER ATTACK.
THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION WANTS
TO DO AWAY WITH DIVERSITY,
EQUITY AND INCLUSION.
THAT'S MY LIFE'S WORK.
YOU KNOW, I OPERATE UNDER A

(13:04):
MANTRA THAT NO MATTER WHO YOU
ARE, WHAT YOU LOOK LIKE, WHERE
YOU COME FROM, WHAT YOUR
ABILITIES, WHO YOU LOVE, HOW YOU
IDENTIFY, WE ALL HAVE DIGNITY
AND WITH THAT DIGNITY, WE
DESERVE EQUITY, JUSTICE AND
OPPORTUNITIES.
>> WELL, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR
TAKING THE TIME TO SPEAK WITH US
TODAY ASSEMBLY MEMBER.
UNFORTUNATELY, THAT'S ALL THE

(13:24):
TIME WE HAVE FOR TODAY.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING
ME.
APPRECIATE IT.
>> AND WE WERE SPEAKING WITH
ASSEMBLY MEMBER HARRY BRONSON.
[ THEME MUSIC ]
>> AND ALONG WITH THAT TAX
CREDIT, LAWMAKERS ARE ALSO
PUSHING A FOCUS ON HIGHER
EDUCATION PRIORITIES THIS YEAR.
THIS COMES AT A TIME WHEN THERE
IS A HEIGHTENED FEAR OVER THE

(13:45):
FUTURE OF THE FEDERAL EDUCATION
DEPARTMENT.
LAWMAKERS ARE BRACING THEMSELVES
FOR WHAT COULD BE CUTS TO
FEDERAL PELL GRANTS, WHILE ALSO
PUSHING FOR INCREASED TUITION
ASSISTANCE.
OUR ELISE KLINE HAS THAT STORY.
[ THEME MUSIC ]
>> HIGHER EDUCATION IS ONE OF
SEVERAL ISSUES LAWMAKERS ARE
PRIORITIZING IN THE STATE

(14:05):
BUDGET.
IT'S ALSO AN ISSUE FACING
CHALLENGES FROM WASHINGTON.
PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP RECENTLY
SIGNED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER TO
DISMANTLE THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF
EDUCATION.
SOME STATE LAWMAKERS AND STATE
LEADERS WORRY ABOUT WHAT THIS
COULD MEAN FOR PELL GRANTS,
FEDERAL ASSISTANCE DOLLARS MANY
COLLEGE STUDENTS RELY ON TO PAY
FOR HOUSING, FOOD, BOOKS, AND
OTHER COSTS OF ATTENDING
COLLEGE.

(14:26):
ABOUT 112,000 OF THE STUDENTS
ENROLLED AT SUNY RELY ON FEDERAL
ASSISTANCE THROUGH PELL GRANTS
OUT OF 376,000 STUDENTS AS OF
2024, WHICH MEANS NEARLY HALF OF
SUNY'S STUDENTS NEED FEDERAL
PELL GRANTS TO PURSUE THEIR
DEGREES.
SUNY CHANCELLOR JOHN KING SAYS
AS A PUBLIC UNIVERSITY, THEY'RE
VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE RISK TO
PELL GRANT FUNDING.

(14:46):
>> SADLY, I THINK THE REALITY IS
THAT IF THERE WERE TO BE
SIGNIFICANT FEDERAL CUTS TO THE
PELL GRANT PROGRAM, THE STATE
COULDN'T MAKE UP FOR THE SCALE
OF NEED THERE.
FOR SUNY ALONE, IT'S ABOUT $600
MILLION A YEAR IN PELL GRANT
FUNDING.
SO THE REALITY IS IF CONGRESS

(15:08):
GOES ALONG WITH PROPOSED CUTS TO
MAJOR FEDERAL PROGRAMS, IT WILL
HAVE DIRE CONSEQUENCES FOR NEW
YORK.
>> MANY STATE LAWMAKERS ARE ALSO
CONCERNED ABOUT POTENTIAL CUTS
TO EDUCATION HURTING NEW YORK'S
COLLEGE STUDENTS.
STATE SENATOR PATRICIA FAHY, A
DEMOCRAT REPRESENTING PARTS OF
THE CAPITOL REGION AND A RANKING
MEMBER OF THE SENATE HIGHER
EDUCATION COMMITTEE, SAYS SHE'S

(15:30):
INCREDIBLY FRUSTRATED WITH
WASHINGTON AND HAS DEEP
CONCERNS.
>> ANY ELIMINATION THERE IS
PENNY WISE, POUND FOOLISH AND
QUITE FRANKLY, I'M ABSOLUTELY
OUTRAGED THAT THE PRESIDENT
WOULD EVEN PROPOSE SOMETHING SO
RECKLESS, BUT WE ARE SEEING
RECKLESS PROPOSALS COME OUT
EVERY SINGLE DAY.
>> SOME STATE REPUBLICANS DON'T

(15:50):
SEEM TO BE AS WORRIED.
STATE SENATOR JOE GRIFFO, A
REPUBLICAN REPRESENTING PARTS OF
CHENANGO, ONEIDA, AND MADISON
COUNTIES, AND A RANKING MEMBER
OF THE HIGHER EDUCATION
COMMITTEE, SAYS THE LEGISLATURE
SHOULD FOCUS ON WHAT THEY CAN
CONTROL AT THE STATE LEVEL.
>> YEAH. I MEAN, ANY POTENTIAL
CUT COULD HAVE AN IMPACT, BUT WE
DON'T KNOW AT THIS POINT IN TIME
WHAT, IF ANY, CUTS WILL BE
UNDERTAKEN AND WHAT THAT WOULD

(16:11):
MEAN.
SO I THINK IT'S PREMATURE AT
THIS POINT IN TIME TO ANTICIPATE
THAT.
>> OTHER REPUBLICAN LEADERS
AGREE.
ASSEMBLY MEMBER MINORITY LEADER
WILL BARCLAY, REPRESENTING PARTS
OF OSWEGO AND CAYUGA COUNTIES,
SAYS DISMANTLING THE U.S.
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION MIGHT
NOT LEAD TO PELL GRANT CUTS.
>> I MEAN, JUST BECAUSE YOU
DISMANTLE THE DEPARTMENT OF
EDUCATION DOESN'T MEAN FUNDING
CAN'T COME THROUGH IN SOME OTHER
WAY.

(16:32):
SO LET'S SEE WHAT THE PROPOSALS
ARE.
>> MEANWHILE, STATE SENATOR TOBY
ANN STAVISKY, A DEMOCRAT
REPRESENTING PARTS OF QUEENS AND
THE HIGHER EDUCATION COMMITTEE
CHAIR IN THE SENATE, RECALLS
GOING TO WASHINGTON TO SEE THE
LEGISLATION SIGNED ESTABLISHING
THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
WITH HER HUSBAND WHO WAS SERVING
IN THE STATE LEGISLATURE AT THE
TIME.
THE SENATOR SAYS IT'S VERY
WORRYING TO WATCH IT BECOME

(16:52):
UNDONE.
>> IT'S A TRAGEDY, QUITE
FRANKLY, WHAT'S HAPPENING IN
WASHINGTON.
I'M VERY CONCERNED NOT JUST
ABOUT EDUCATION, BUT THE WHOLE
ATTITUDE IS VERY TROUBLING.
PEOPLE'S CIVIL RIGHTS ARE BEING
DISMANTLED.
>> NEW YORK CONGRESSMAN PAUL
TONKO, REPRESENTING PARTS OF THE
CAPITOL REGION, SAYS THIS

(17:13):
MEASURE IS BEING DONE WITHOUT
THOUGHTFULNESS, AND HE HAS BEEN
PUSHING BACK, HOWEVER, MANY
QUESTIONS STILL REMAIN.
>> I WANT TO KNOW WE HAVE
WRITTEN THE ACTING SECRETARY,
ATTEMPTED TO MEET WITH HER BY
GOING TO THE DEPARTMENT, BUT
WERE LOCKED OUT.
LITERALLY LOCKED OUT AT AN
ENTRYWAY LABELED ALL-ACCESS
ENTRY.

(17:33):
SO HOW DO YOU LOCK AN ALL-ACCESS
ENTRY?
AND I ASKED IF IT WAS JUST FOR
CONGRESS REPS, THAT THE
DOORS WERE LOCKED.
BUT NONETHELESS, WANTING
INFORMATION, WANTING TO REACH
WITH THEM TO UNDERSTAND EXACTLY
WHAT THE THEORY IS HERE AND WHAT
THE THINKING IS IF THERE IS ANY
THINKING.
>> TONKO SAYS CONGRESS MEMBERS

(17:53):
NEED THEIR QUESTIONS ANSWERED,
WHERE THE DIVISIONS WITHIN THE
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ARE
GOING, WHAT WILL BE MAINTAINED
AND WHAT CUTS WILL BE MADE.
TONKO, ALONG WITH OTHER NEW YORK
CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATIVES,
INCLUDING JERROLD NADLER, JOHN
MANNION, NYDIA VELAZQUEZ, AND
ADRIANO ESPAILLAT, SIGNED ONTO A
LETTER, SENT IN EARLY FEBRUARY,
TO THE ACTING SECRETARY OF
EDUCATION WITH THESE QUESTIONS,
BUT HAVE NOT YET RECEIVED AN

(18:14):
ANSWER TO THEIR INQUIRY.
>> SO THESE ARE ANSWERS THAT
WE'RE STILL SEARCHING FOR.
MY CONCERN IS IT COULD DISMANTLE
AND DISRUPT IN A VERY BIG WAY
WHAT WASHINGTON DOES FOR
EDUCATION, AND WE SHOULD BE A
SOUND PARTNER.
>> SOME STATE LEADERS SAY THIS
MEASURE IS REALLY GOING TO HURT
NEW YORKERS.
ASSEMBLY SPEAKER CARL HEASTIE, A
DEMOCRAT REPRESENTING PARTS OF
THE BRONX, SAYS THE UNITED

(18:35):
STATES DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION,
GIVES NEW YORK SIGNIFICANT SUMS
OF MONEY.
>> SO THERE ARE A LOT OF PARTS
OF THIS STATE AND THIS NATION
THAT VOTED FOR DONALD TRUMP.
I'M PRETTY SURE THEY WEREN'T
EXPECTING THIS TYPE OF STUFF,
BUT I ALWAYS GO BACK TO SAYING,
ELECTIONS HAVE CONSEQUENCES.
SO NOW WE'RE LOOKING AT $5

(18:56):
BILLION IN MEDICAID.
I THINK THE NUMBER MIGHT BE $4
BILLION IN EDUCATION.
LIKE THESE ARE SOME NUMBERS
WHERE I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY
PEOPLE THINK THAT YOU'RE NOT
REALLY GOING TO HURT PEOPLE.
>> OTHER STATE LEADERS SAY THEY
REMAIN FOCUSED ON WHAT THEY CAN
CONTROL.
>> SO WE ARE FOCUSED ON
SUPPORTING EDUCATION.

(19:16):
WE THINK IT'S EXTREMELY
IMPORTANT TO SUCCESS IN LIFE.
SO THERE'S JUST SO MUCH THAT WE
COULD BE DODGING ON A FEDERAL
LEVEL.
I THINK THAT'S VERY CLEAR.
WE HEAR EVERY DAY SOMETHING ELSE
THAT MAY OR MAY NOT BE
DISMANTLED OR, YOU KNOW, SO WHAT
WE'VE-- WE'RE WORKING WITH THE

(19:37):
INFORMATION WE HAVE NOW AND
LEADING WITH OUR VALUES AND OUR
COMMITMENT TO THE THINGS WE CARE
ABOUT.
>> IN LAST YEAR'S STATE BUDGET,
LEGISLATORS EXPANDED ELIGIBLE
FOR TAP, THE TUITION ASSISTANCE
PROGRAM, BY EXPANDING INCOME
ELIGIBILITY AND THE HIGHEST
AWARD.
THIS YEAR, THEY MADE A SIMILAR
EFFORT BY EXPANDING THE NUMBER
OF CREDITS NEEDED FOR PART-TIME
STUDENTS TO BECOME ELIGIBLE FOR
TAP FUNDING.

(19:58):
SUNY CHANCELLOR KING SAYS
ALTHOUGH LAST YEAR'S EFFORTS IN
ALBANY WERE TREMENDOUS FOR
STUDENTS, THERE ARE STILL NEEDS
TO INCREASE TAP.
>> THE STATE'S COMMITTED TO TAP
AND CONTINUES TO INVEST IN TAP.
COULD WE SEE TAP GROW EVEN
FURTHER?
OF COURSE, WE'D LOVE TO SEE
THAT.
THERE'S STILL A GAP BETWEEN WHAT
TAP AND PELL PROVIDE AND THE

(20:19):
TOTAL COST OF ATTENDANCE,
PARTICULARLY WHEN STUDENTS ARE
LIVING ON CAMPUS AT OUR
FOUR-YEAR INSTITUTIONS BECAUSE
THEN YOU'VE GOT TUITION, FEES,
AND ROOM AND BOARD, SO
CONTINUING TO INVEST IN COLLEGE
AFFORDABILITY IS CRITICAL FOR
NEW YORK STATE'S FUTURE.
>> STAVISKY SAYS LAWMAKERS WILL
BE FIGHTING FOR CHANGES TO
PROGRAMS THAT GO ALONG WITH TAP
TO ADDRESS COLLEGE
AFFORDABILITY.

(20:39):
THE SENATOR SAYS THEY ARE HOPING
TO SEE IN THE FINAL BUDGET A
RESTORATION TO THE GOVERNOR'S $9
MILLION CUTS TO OPPORTUNITY
PROGRAMS, SUCH AS HEOP, THE
HIGHER EDUCATION OPPORTUNITY
PROGRAM.
>> ALL OF THESE OPPORTUNITY
PROGRAMS ENABLE STUDENTS WHO
COME FROM FAMILIES WITH LIMITED
INCOME.
THEY CAN GO TO COLLEGE.
THEY'RE THE FIRST IN THEIR
FAMILIES TO GO TO COLLEGE.

(21:01):
AND THE STATE UNIVERSITY AND THE
CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK,
THEY ARE THE VEHICLES BY WHICH
THEY ACHIEVE UPWARD MOBILITY.
>> THE SENATE ONE-HOUSE BUDGET
RESOLUTION INCLUDED A
RESTORATION AND ADDITIONAL
DOLLARS FOR THESE PROGRAMS.
SOME STATE LAWMAKERS ARE ALSO
PUSHING TO ONCE AGAIN TIE TAP
AWARDS WITH THE SUNY TUITION,
WHICH HAS DECOUPLED IN 2012.

(21:22):
BUT IT'S NOT GOING TO BE AN EASY
FIGHT.
>> YES, WE'D LOVE TO SEE IT
COUPLED.
IT'S JUST ALL OF THESE THINGS
COST MONEY.
IF WE'RE GOING TO HAVE THE RUG
PULLED OUT FROM UNDER US AT THE
FEDERAL LEVEL, IT IS GOING TO
MAKE IT MUCH HARDER, BUT YES, WE
MUST KEEP TELLING STUDENTS WE
HAVE THEIR BACK.
>> STATE ASSEMBLY MEMBER JO ANNE
SIMON, A DEMOCRAT REPRESENTING
PARTS OF BROOKLYN, SAYS AT A
TIME WHEN THE ECONOMY IS

(21:43):
POTENTIALLY HEADED FOR ANOTHER
RECESSION AND MANY CHANGES AT
THE FEDERAL LEVEL, THE FIGHT FOR
THIS MEASURE WILL BE MORE
CHALLENGING, ESPECIALLY WITH THE
POTENTIAL OF THE TAP GAP TO GROW
BEYOND WHAT THE STATE CAN COVER.
>> TUITION MAY BE GOING UP, BUT
WE HAVE LESS ABILITY TO MAKE UP
THAT DIFFERENCE AND WHEN YOU ADD
THAT UP TOGETHER ACROSS A
SYSTEM, IT'S A LOT OF MONEY.

(22:05):
>> WHILE LAWMAKERS AND THE
EXECUTIVE OFFICE NEGOTIATE THESE
BUDGET ITEMS FOR HIGHER
EDUCATION, THERE COULD BE
DISCUSSIONS ABOUT INCREASING TAP
ASSISTANCE AND BUNDY AID,
HOWEVER, SENATOR STAVISKY SAYS
LAWMAKERS' FOCUS HAS SHIFTED.
>> THIS YEAR, THE EMPHASIS, I
THINK, IS SHIFTING SOMEWHAT TO
CAPITAL.
WE PUT A LOT OF MONEY IN THERE
FOR SUNY AND CUNY FOR CAPITAL.

(22:28):
NOT JUST FOR NEW BUILDINGS BUT
ALSO FOR CRITICAL MAINTENANCE
CAUSE MANY OF THOSE BUILDINGS
ARE OLD.
>> SOME UNIVERSITY LEADERS SAY
CAPITAL IS NEEDED TO CONTINUE
PLANS TO MAKE COLLEGE MORE
AFFORDABLE.
FOR EXAMPLE, THE GOVERNOR PUT
FORTH A PROPOSAL TO MAKE
COMMUNITY COLLEGE FREE FOR
STUDENTS AGES 25 TO 55 IN
HIGH-DEMANDING OCCUPATIONS
INCLUDING NURSING, TEACHING,
TECHNOLOGY, AND ENGINEERING.

(22:50):
SOME REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS HAVE
CRITIQUED THIS PROPOSAL SAYING
IT IS TOO RESTRICTIVE.
ASSEMBLY MEMBER ED RA,
REPRESENTING PARTS OF NASSAU
COUNTY AND A RANKING MEMBER OF
THE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE,
SAYS OPENING UP THE PROGRAM
COULD BETTER ADDRESS
AFFORDABILITY.
>> I THINK PEOPLE WANTED TO SEE
A LITTLE MORE FLEXIBILITY IN
REGARD TO THAT, WHETHER IT'S
TARGETING THOSE FIELDS AND NOT
NECESSARILY HAVING THE AGE
RESTRICTIONS OR MAYBE OPENING UP

(23:11):
A LITTLE MORE WHAT FIELDS ARE
INCLUDED.
>> SUNY CHANCELLOR KING SAYS TO
MAKE A PROPOSAL LIKE THIS
SUCCESSFUL, THERE ARE NEEDS TO
ADDRESS FOR COMMUNITY COLLEGES
OPERATIONS WHICH INCLUDES THEIR
BASIC OPERATING AID.
SUNY IS ASKING FOR A $30 MILLION
INCREASE TO THEIR OPERATIONAL
AID, WHICH IN THE GOVERNOR'S
PROPOSAL IS LISTED AS
MAINTAINING THE COMMUNITY
COLLEGE FUNDING FLOOR AT ABOUT

(23:33):
80 MILLION.
>> IT'S IMPORTANT FOR THEM TO
HAVE THE CAPACITY TO DEVELOP
THESE HIGH-DEMAND WORKFORCE
AREAS.
SO WE'VE BEEN TALKING WITH THE
LEGISLATURE ABOUT KEY
INVESTMENTS IN COMMUNITY
COLLEGES TO INCREASE THEIR
CAPACITY TO HAVE PROGRAMS THAT
MATCH REGIONAL ECONOMIC NEEDS.
>> IN THE SENATE ONE-HOUSE
BUDGET PROPOSAL, LAWMAKERS
INCREASED COMMUNITY COLLEGE
FUNDING BY ABOUT $5 MILLION.

(23:55):
STAVISKY SAYS SHE WOULD LIKE TO
SEE THOSE ADDITIONAL DOLLARS
GROW IN THE FINAL STATE BUDGET.
>> COMMUNITY COLLEGES, I THINK,
ARE THE FUTURE OF HIGHER
EDUCATION.
>> STATE LAWMAKERS ARE ALSO
HOPING TO SEE IN THE FINAL
BUDGET MORE FUNDING FOR SUNY
DOWNSTATE.
LAST YEAR, THE UNIVERSITY
HOSPITAL FACED THREATS OF
SHUTTING DOWN AFTER YEARS OF
FINANCIAL STRAIN BUT ABOUT $400
MILLION IN DEDICATED FUNDING IN

(24:15):
LAST YEAR'S BUDGET PREVENTED
THAT FROM HAPPENING.
THIS YEAR'S EXECUTIVE BUDGET
PROPOSAL FROM THE GOVERNOR'S
OFFICE INCLUDES $100 MILLION IN
FUNDING.
IN THE ONE-HOUSE BUDGET
RESOLUTIONS, STATE LAWMAKERS
PROPOSED INCREASING AID TO
AROUND $250 MILLION.
SOME STATE LAWMAKERS LIKE
ASSEMBLY MEMBER BRIAN
CUNNINGHAM, A DEMOCRAT
REPRESENTING PARTS OF BROOKLYN
AND INCLUDING SUNY DOWNSTATE,
SAYS HE WANTS TO SEE THE FINAL

(24:35):
BUDGET REFLECT THE HIGHEST
AMOUNT POSSIBLE FOR THE
UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL.
HE SAYS SOME LAWMAKERS ARE
TRYING TO PUSH FOR ONE BILLION,
WHICH MANY ADVOCATES SAY IS WHAT
IS NEEDED TO KEEP THE HOSPITAL
RUNNING EFFICIENTLY.
>> IT SEEMS VERY CLEAR FROM THE
RESIDENTS THAT THEY ENJOY THE
HOSPITAL IN TERMS OF THE MEDICAL
STAFF, THE PROFESSIONALS, THE
SERVICE THEY RECEIVE.
BUT THEY CAN ALL AGREE THE
HOSPITAL IS FALLING APART, AND
THERE NEEDS TO BE SOME

(24:56):
INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS TO
IT SO WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT THE
NEW CAPITAL AND LOOKING FORWARD
TO SEEING HOW HIGH WE CAN GO.
>> HOWEVER, SOME REPUBLICANS
ACROSS THE AISLE SAY STATE
LEGISLATURE NEEDS TO SHARE THE
WEALTH.
SENATOR GRIFFO SAYS HE IS
CONCERNED ABOUT THE UPSTATE
UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER IN HIS
DISTRICT.
>> I UNDERSTAND THERE'S UNIQUE
CHALLENGES THE DOWNSTATE MEDICAL
CENTER'S FACING.
I RESPECT THAT.
I KNOW THAT THERE HAS TO BE
RESOURCES ALLOCATED, BUT UPSTATE

(25:17):
UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL HAS SIMILAR
AND COULD BECOME MUCH MORE
CHALLENGED IN THE FUTURE.
SO MY POINT IS WHY NOT PROVIDE
ADDITIONAL FUNDS FOR THEM, TOO.
WE SHOULD LOOK AT IT TOGETHER
COLLECTIVELY AND BE SUPPORTIVE
RIGHT NOW TO BOTH.
>> GRIFFO SAYS LAWMAKERS SHOULD
BE ALLOCATING MORE THAN THE $200
MILLION ALLOCATION LISTED IN THE
GOVERNOR'S BUDGET.

(25:38):
LAWMAKERS' ONE-HOUSE BUDGET
PROPOSALS INCLUDE $250 MILLION
TOTAL FOR UPSTATE MEDICAL
THIS YEAR.
LAWMAKERS ARE DAYS AWAY FROM THE
DUE DATE OF THE FINAL STATE
BUDGET, WHERE WE WILL SEE THE
FINAL NUMBERS FOR PROPOSALS LIKE
SUNY UPSTATE, DOWNSTATE,
AND TAP FUNDING.
LEADERS AND THE GOVERNOR'S
OFFICE ARE STILL UNDERGOING NEGOTIATIONS,

(25:58):
SOME LAWMAKERS SAY THEY THINK
THE BUDGET COULD BE CLOSER TO ON
TIME THIS YEAR DUE TO A LACK OF
POLICY AND SIGNIFICANT
CONTROVERSY IN THE BUDGET.
WE WILL BE MONITORING THE BUDGET
PROCESS AS IT UNFOLDS.
ELISE KLEIN, "NEW YORK NOW."
[ THEME MUSIC ]
>> AND FOR MORE ON THOSE HIGHER
EDUCATION PRIORITIES, YOU CAN
VISIT OUR WEBSITE.

(26:19):
THAT'S AT NYNOW.ORG.
YOU CAN ALSO SUBSCRIBE TO OUR
NEWSLETTER BY GOING TO
NEWSLETTER.NYNOW.ORG.
WELL, THAT DOES IT FOR THIS
EDITION OF "NEW YORK NOW."
THANK YOU FOR TUNING IN AND SEE
YOU NEXT WEEK.

>>ANNOUNCER (26:35):
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YORK NOW" IS PROVIDED BY WNET.