NYS Business, Government, Industry Leaders Urge Legislature to Pass Public Higher Education Empowerment and Innovation Act

Albany – New York’s most influential business, local government and industry associations today issued an open letter to New York State legislators applauding SUNY Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher on the launch of a new strategic plan for SUNY and urging legislators to support the Public Higher Education Empowerment and Innovation Act (PHEEIA).

“We are encouraged by the collective support of our partners in business, local government and community organizations across New York State,” said Chancellor Zimpher. “These leaders understand the importance of protecting SUNY students and campuses from the worst effects of the fiscal crisis while maximizing SUNY’s potential as a driver of New York State’s economic recovery.

"Given the positive response from these critical stakeholders, along with endorsements from our students and faculty, we hope that the Legislature will pass the Empowerment Act and fully leverage SUNY’s enormous capacity to create economic opportunities for New York.”

The full text of the letter:

It is with great respect and enthusiasm that we applaud SUNY Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher on the launch of “The Power of SUNY,” a strategic plan that will guide SUNY for the next five to ten years, with a focus on the revitalization of New York’s economy and enhanced quality of life in our communities.

The plan that Chancellor Zimpher has unveiled focuses squarely on how New York can best utilize SUNY to boost economic development. We believe this plan lays out an important vision of how public higher education can partner with businesses, local governments and community organizations to drive New York’s immediate and long-term economic recovery.

“The Power of SUNY” shows great promise for economic vitality in New York State, but in order to realize its full potential, we need to secure passage of the Public Higher Education Empowerment and Innovation Act.

The Empowerment Act harnesses high-impact, zero-cost solutions that will create jobs, build the foundation for tomorrow’s economy and strengthen public higher education.   With the implementation of the Empowerment and Innovation Act, the State University of New York estimates that over the next ten years, its campuses will be able to help create over 10,000 new jobs and invest over $8.5 billion in capital construction, which will support over 43,700 direct and 21,800 indirect construction jobs.

As representatives of business, local government, and industry and as citizens of New York State, we strongly urge you to support the State University and help unleash “The Power of SUNY” by passing the Public Higher Education Empowerment and Innovation Act. 

The letter is signed by: Stephen J. Acquario, NYS Association of Counties; Kenneth Adams, The Business Council of NYS, Inc.; Peter A. Baynes, NYS Conference of Mayors and Municipal Officials; Matthew T. Crosson, Esq., Long Island Association, Inc.; Mark Eagan, Albany-Colonie Regional Chamber of Commerce; Mike Elmendorf, national Federation of Independent Businesses; Wally Hart, Chamber Alliance of NYS; Darlene Kerr, Greater Syracuse Chamber of Commerce; Brian T. McMahon, NYS Economic Development Council; Sandra A. Parker, Rochester Business Alliance; Andrew J. Rudnick, Buffalo Niagara Partnership; Lou Santoni, Greater Binghamton Chamber of Commerce; Robert M. Simpson, Metropolitan Development Association of Syracuse and Central new York, Inc.; F. Michael Tucker, Center for Economic Growth; and Randy Wolken, Manufacturer’s Association of Central New York. The letter can be viewed here as a PDF file.

About the State University of New York

The State University of New York is the largest comprehensive university system in the United States, educating nearly 465,000 students in 7,669 degree and certificate programs on 64 campuses. To learn more about how SUNY creates opportunity, visit www.suny.edu 

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