Higher Education Leaders To Testify At State Budget Hearing

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — The heads of New York's public university systems are scheduled to testify at a state budget hearing in Albany.

The joint Assembly and Senate public hearing is being held Monday in the Legislative Office Building.

Among those expected to give testimony are State University of New York Chancellor Kristina Johnson and City University of New York Interim Chancellor Vita Rabinowitz.

State Education Department Commissioner MaryEllen Elia and representatives from student and faculty advocacy groups from across the state are also expected.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo's $175 billion state budget proposal includes $7.6 billion for higher education, an increase of $143 million over the current budget.

The Democrat also wants to launch the third and final phase of the program that provides free tuition to SUNY and CUNY schools for middle-class families.