FY2018-2019 State Budget Memo

March 16, 2018

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The New York State Assembly and Senate have each issued their Fiscal Year 2018-2019 one-house bills.  Attached is a comparative analysis, prepared by Vice Chancellors Sapienza and Bergtraum and their staffs, detailing the impact on CUNY of the recommendations of each legislative chamber, along with those included in the Executive proposal.

Some of the highlights:

Both the Assembly and Senate are recommending a $100 per student full-time equivalent increase in the base aid for community colleges, which would generate an additional $6.3 million for our seven institutions. 

For the senior colleges, the Senate’s one-house bill includes an additional $40.0 million in administrative operating support.  The Assembly’s proposal calls for a $12.1 allocation to the senior colleges for a labor contingency reserve.  Additional investments in our senior colleges are important and would be allocated for the initiatives outlined in our strategic framework and Budget Request.

Most of the legislative restorations consistent with the Board’s budget request are included in the Assembly’s one-house bill.  There are critical programs supported by the Board such as SEEK ($4.7 million), ASAP ($2.5 million) and child care centers ($0.9 million) for which restorations are required to keep funding at current levels.  The Assembly also recommended a $4.7 million increase to the SEEK program, in addition to the restoration, which would be a very useful investment in this successful student-support initiative.

Substantial new funding for capital is also called for in each of the one-house bills.  The Assembly proposes $100 million for strategic initiatives at the senior colleges, while the Senate recommends an increase of $55 million to critical maintenance funding.

We appreciate the Senate and Assembly consideration of the positive recommendations for CUNY in the Executive Budget.  We will continue to advocate for investments in our campuses and restorations of critical program funding, and will keep you engaged in the budget process.  Please let us know if you have questions or comments.