By Mark Scott
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wbfo/local-wbfo-910765.mp3
Albany, NY – The State Senate adjourned Thursday without approving the final revenue bill to complete action on this year's budget. The State Assembly did act on it. But other legislation, including a piece important to the University at Buffalo, remains unfinished.
Buffalo Democrat William Stachowski is pushing hard for a bill that would give the State University more autonomy to set tuition rates and enter partnerships. Its passage would enable the UB 2020 plan to move forward. There is speculation in Albany the reason the Senate adjourned without completing action on the budget is that Stachowski is withholding his budget vote to force action on the SUNY bill.
On the Capitol Pressroom on WBFO, Stachowski said sounded a hopeful note.
"We're trying to get some movement in the Assembly," Stachowski said.
But that may be wishful thinking. State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver said his house has completed its session and that he does not anticipate calling his members back to Albany any time soon.
Stachowski is in a tough re-election campaign -- facing a stiff challenge from within his own party. He says his advocacy of the SUNY reform bill has nothing to do with his re-election. But Frank Mauro of the Fiscal Policy Institute believes it's a no-win for Democratic lawmakers.
"Flexibility on tuition means higher tuition. My question is why is that a good political issue in an election (year)," Mauro said. "I'm saying the Democrats are in a dilemma that is almost a no-win situation."
But Senator Stachowski says arguments that poor students would be priced out of SUNY if this bill passes are simply not accurate.