Gov. Kathy Hochul and the Legislature have tripled state budget funding for politically connected nonprofits in her home state, the Post reported.
Say Yes Buffalo, which has politically powerful board members including state Sen. Tim Kennedy (D-Erie) and state Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples Stokes (D-Buffalo), The state budget was significantly increased from $2.5 million to $7.5 million.
The group awards scholarships to help Buffalo students pay for college.
Kennedy won Tuesday’s special election for Congress and is expected to fill the seat vacated by longtime Congressman Brian Higgins (D-N.Y.).
The dramatic jump in funding comes after Hochul and lawmakers eliminated state operating aid for private universities with endowments of more than $750 million. The 16 private universities that will no longer receive state Bundy grants include Columbia University, New York University, Cornell University, St. John’s University and Fordham University.
The new provisions are expected to save the state about $18 million.
The Independent Colleges and Universities Commission has publicly stated that most universities use the majority of their endowments to provide financial aid and scholarships to students.
“This public investment, combined with private sector resources, will ensure the long-term viability of Say Yes Buffalo, and we are grateful to the state for including it in this year’s budget.”・Buffalo CEO David Last told the Post. statement.
Rust touted Say Yes Buffalo as having helped improve high school graduation rates, college enrollment rates, and graduation rates.
The nonprofit has raised more than $50 million, including its own donations. $10 million allocation From last year’s state.
“I want all kids, regardless of their zip code, to have the chance to get a good college degree if that’s what they want to do,” Hochul said at the Say Yes lecture. said, referring to the $10 million. memorial service This refers to the Topps supermarket shooting that occurred in Buffalo last year.
Rust said he doesn’t expect the organization to receive state funding next year.
