Assemblymember Buttenschon Attends Higher Education Budget Hearing to Support Public Colleges
Assemblymember Marianne Buttenschon (D-Utica/Rome) attended a joint virtual budget hearing on higher education earlier today, where she advocated for funding and protections for public colleges in the Mohawk Valley and across the state.
“My time serving as an academic dean at Mohawk Valley Community College showed me firsthand how the knowledge, opportunities and skills that students gain through higher learning help set them up for success,” Buttenschon said. “While the pandemic has left us with many financial challenges this budget season, we must put our community and SUNY colleges at the forefront of our state’s recovery plan. I’ll continue fighting for additional funding for these critical institutions to ensure our students can safely continue to take advantage of the exciting and innovative programs they offer.”
At the hearing, Buttenschon addressed many concerns facing our public colleges in the wake of COVID-19 and voiced the need for community colleges and SUNY institutions to be a part of the state’s recovery plan. She emphasized the importance of funding community colleges, which have played a key role in offering students affordable and virtual learning options. Buttenschon also asked how the slow process of approving academic certificate and degree programs can be improved to assist local institutions dealing with this issue. Further, to promote the safety and well-being of students and staff, Buttenschon pushed for funding to go toward green initiatives as well as the installation of antimicrobial high-touch surfaces.