State Relations Update - August 6, 2009

New Laws & Vetoes

Chapter 240 of the Laws of 2009 - Provides for the extension of health insurance coverage to the unmarried child of an insurered through the age of 29 years. Effective 9/1/2009

Veto 24 – Would have provided for consideration of a student’s change in status relating to income after the beginning of a semester in changing their TAP award after the semester has begun.

Veto Message
  
Summary of 2009 Higher Education Legislation
 
Senate Session

The State Senate convened today with a limited agenda which included final passage of legislation addressing NYC school governance. We fully expect that both the Assembly and the Senate will return to Albany sometime after Labor Day to discuss additional legislative proposals still unresolved.  Stay tuned.

Executive Appointments

The Governor has appointed Valeria Grey as Director of State Operations, replacing Dennis Whalen who has retired.  Ms. Grey is an alumnus of UAlbany.

Legislative Initiatives

Both the Assembly and Senate have posted 2009-10 legislative initiative allocations:
Senate Allocations
Assembly Legislative Initiatives
Assembly Community Capital Assistance Program

Upstate’s Project Medical Education

Upstate Medical University recently conducted its 6th Project Medical Education (PME) program for Legislative and Executive staff.  PME is a unique experience that highlights the role of academic medicine in SUNY and NY’s health care system.  Participants assume the role of medical students and are provided with an overview of the academic medical environment with hands on learning experiences.  Seventeen “students” from DOB, DOH, Assembly Ways and Means, Senate Finance and Program staffs, along with Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo attended the program last month.  Since the program began in 2001, 69 individuals have gone through the Upstate PME program.

Jim Campbell
Director of Legislative Relations
Office of University Relations
State University of New York
518-443-5148 (office)