February 06, 2007

Advocacy season arrives

UUP’s annual legislative advocacy drive got under way Feb. 5, with visits to more than two dozen state lawmakers in Albany, including Assemblyman Kevin Cahill (D-Kingston). Cahill holds a copy of UUP’s 2008 Legislative Agenda as he discusses the union’s priorities with UUP members. From left are UUP Outreach Committee Co-chair Glenn McNitt of New Paltz, Christopher Callas of Cobleskill, Cahill, and Heather Whalen Smith and John Hain, both of New Paltz.

The advocacy visits will continue through at least April as UUP members urge lawmakers to include more funds for SUNY in the state budget for 2008-2009, including an additional $25 million to hire 400 more full-time faculty. The UUPers are also seeking support from legislators for additional funds for SUNY’s three public hospitals in Brooklyn, Stony Brook and Syracuse. The union is also seeking the restoration of $34.2 million cut from SUNY’s operating budget, plus full funding of the costs of enrollment growth.