Federal Economic Stimulus Legislation (Update #3) 
Friday, January 30 , 2009 
I am attaching  a summary document of the federal economic stimulus legislation currently 
pending in Congress.  There are many provisions of significant importance to the State 
University of New York. 
You may want to pay particular attention to the sections on �State Grants for State Fiscal 
Stabilization� and �Higher Education Modernization, Renovation & Repair�. The �State Grants 
for State Fiscal Stabilization� are intended by Congress to assist States in filling budget gaps 
affecting K-12 as well as public higher education and will be distributed by formulas.  Funds 
for �Higher Education Modernization, Renovation & Repair� will ultimately be allocated by 
States in subgrants to campuses for specific projects based on certain criteria. There are no 
earmarks in the legislation. 
These two programs are our top priorities in the legislation as we believe they will potentially 
have the most significant effects for your campuses--both in providing funding to NYS to ease 
state budget pressure on the budget for public higher education and in creating an opportunity 
for direct support of modernization, renovation and repair needs on your campuses.  However, 
we are currently sorting through the complicated details of both provisions as there are many 
restrictions that will affect distribution of these dollars. We are conferring with Congressional 
staff as the Senate prepares their final bill for passage and we are prepared to weigh-in when 
it goes to conference.  I have been working closely with Michael Trunzo, Jim VanVoorst and 
Phil Wood in developing a strategy to position the University in accessing this funding from the 
stimulus package. 
We are also very interested in ensuring that the final legislation includes the many strong 
provisions for student aid, scientific research and healthcare currently pending in both the 
House and Senate versions of the legislation. 
Many other provisions in the proposed legislation are welcome infusions of financial support 
important to states and local government programs, potentially easing some of the budget 
constraints New York State and its local municipalities are facing. 
Our office is in regular communication with NYS congressional delegation staff as details 
emerge on this legislation. SUNY also signed-on to a letter coordinated by two innovation 
coalitions, the Task Force on the Future of American Innovation and Tapping America�s 
Potential, thanking House Democratic leaders for including research and education investments 
in the economic recovery package.  The letter was endorsed by more than 100 universities and 
other organizations.  In addition, we have shared information with the New York State 
congressional delegation regarding the current state budget outlook for SUNY so they are fully 
aware of both last year's cuts and the current fiscal outlook. 
The Administration and congressional leaders hope to have a final economic stimulus bill in 
place by February 13.  Their focus will then turn to, among other things, completing the 
federal fiscal year 2009 budget. 
Liz Clark, Director of Federal Relations State University of New York (SUNY) Washington, DC Office 444 North 
Capitol Street, NW; Suite 221 Washington, DC 20001 Office:  (202) 220-1315 / Cell:  (202) 384-4171