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Support the "UB 2020 Flexibility and Economic Growth Act."
Members of the WNY state delegation introduced bill A.2020/S.2020 to provide UB with the flexibility it needs to grow in the difficult budget environment we currently face. We need to remind the higher education leaders in the Assembly and Senate that the economic problems in WNY are unique, that our economy has lagged far behind the rest of the state and nation, and that UB 2020 is not just about the transformation of a SUNY campus located in WNY but rather it is a major regional priority. Send letters to Assemblywoman Deborah Glick and Senator Toby Ann Stavisky (chairs of their respective higher education committees) in support of this important legislation. To learn more about UB's legislative priorities, please click here.
Dear [ Decision Maker ] , On January 16, the Western New York legislative delegation introduced A.2020/S.2020-the UB 2020 Flexibility and Economic Growth Act-at a public event in Buffalo. Assemblymembers Robin Schimminger, Sam Hoyt, Francine DelMonte, Crystal Peoples, Mark Schroeder, Dennis Gabryszak, Jack Quinn and Jane Corwin, along with Senators Bill Stachowski, Antoine Thompson, Dale Volker, George Maziarz and Michael Ranzenhofer, have indicated that UB 2020 is a top priority for the Western New York delegation. I am writing to urge you to promote passage of this legislation. A.2020/S.2020 is a high-impact, no-cost, fiscally responsible economic development measure that would have an enormous positive impact on Western New York. The policy reforms in the legislation will make it possible for the University at Buffalo to benefit from: -Spending and contracting deregulation for land and equipment -Access to capital through the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York -The ability to lease and sell land -A rational tuition strategy for New York's public colleges and universities These reforms will cost the state nothing and will enable UB to save New York taxpayers millions of dollars. They will secure a predictable stream of revenue for the university and help it to provide needy students with access to a high-quality education. The benefits for Western New York are enormous. As the region's only research university, UB is in a powerful position to leverage its extensive resources to stimulate the kind of transformative change that Western New York urgently needs. This transformation would revitalize the economy of Buffalo and Western New York and improve quality of life in the region. UB?s current economic impact of $1.7 billion annually will increase to an estimated $3.6 billion when UB 2020 is implemented. In order to realize its growth potential, UB needs the reforms in A.2020/S.2020. Now, more than ever, both the region and the state need common-sense policy reforms for our research universities so that they can more effectively create the knowledge economy that is critical to the future of Western New York and the entire state. Please do all you can to pass this legislation. It's the right way to go. Thank you for considering my request.
Sincerely, |
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| Background Information |
Why Introduce a Bill?
The purpose of this legislation is to provide regulatory relief to the University at Buffalo (UB) in the areas of tuition policy, capital project financing, construction delivery, land acquisition and disposition, public-private partnerships and procurement of goods and services. These changes would enhance the University at Buffalo’s academic standing and its capacity to serve as a catalyst to stimulate the Western New York economy.
While the legislation is specific to UB, the reforms are in accord with recommendations made by the Commission on Higher Education and SUNY’s own policy agenda. The reforms will enable implementation of UB 2020, the major economic development initiative for Western New York by addressing the chronic lack of economic growth in the Western New York region, made worse by the current economic downturn.
What Does the Bill Do?
It would be challenging under the present circumstances for the state to provide an appropriate level of funding for UB. However, the public policy reforms outlined in this legislation can be implemented quickly and achieved at no cost. They are a high-impact way to move UB 2020 forward.
1) Rational Tuition Strategy
Small, regular increases in tuition would provide the university with predictable funding and will allow parents and students to better plan and budget for expenses. A rational tuition policy will allow UB to invest in excellence, while at the same time expanding access to excellence. More resources would be applied by the university to need-based aid, opening the door to a UB education to thousands more low-income New York students.
2) Spending and Contracting Flexibility
Current policies hamper efficient business practices. Relief from burdensome rules like pre-audits would save taxpayers money, and create a level playing field with other state systems and public research universities. For example, if appropriate reforms were in place, the state could save $1.5 million on the construction of UB’s new Educational Opportunity Center in downtown Buffalo and build it thirteen months faster.
3) Access to Market Capital
Providing the university access to market capital will allow it to build critical research, commercial, and recreational facilities in accelerated time frames. UB’s success in attracting the best faculty and students absolutely depends on our ability to build these facilities much more quickly and with more ready access to capital sources than can be done through the political process that governs the flow of capital funds today. Providing the university the ability to leverage private sector markets also will permit it to leverage critical capital funds at no cost to the taxpayer.
4) Ability to Lease or Purchase Land and Facilities
UB must be able to make the wisest and best use of its land and facilities, and have the ability to create lease or trust agreements with private partners for their development and use. For example, to relocate its Academic Health Center to downtown Buffalo, UB needs the ability to purchase properties and enter into development projects with multiple partners. UB needs the authority to build and renovate housing, academic buildings, research complexes and other facilities entrepreneurially and through public-private partnerships, leveraging the taxpayers’ investment with private funds.