The 2019-20 state budget makes a substantial $7.6 billion investment in SUNY and CUNY colleges - an increase of $1.2 billion since 2012 - and helps expand access to higher education through scholarship and opportunity programs.

I am extremely proud that we increased eligibility for the Excelsior Scholarship, providing a tuition free education at SUNY and CUNY; now available to families making less than $125,000. Other higher education highlights include:

• $6,000 scholarships for students from families making less than $125K and attending a private college;
• $12.1 million to SUNY and $6.3 million to CUNY to increase community college base aid by $100 per full-time equivalent (FTE) student, bringing the total rate to $2,947;
• Restoration of $1.1 million to SUNY and $902,000 to CUNY for Child Care Centers, students care for their families while earning a degree;
• Restoration of $6 million for Educational Opportunity Centers (EOCs), for a total of $61 million;
• Restoration of $700,000 for Small Business Development Centers, which offer business counseling and entrepreneurial training;
• Restoration of $23.8 million to College Opportunity programs, including:
• $35.5 million for the Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP);
• $32.2 million for the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP); and
• $28.1 million for Search for Education, Elevation and Knowledge (SEEK).

In an effort to ensure equality and fairness for New Yorkers from all backgrounds, Assemblywoman Weinstein and her colleagues took steps to strengthen anti-discrimination protections by:

• Establishing that the wearing of any clothing or facial hair in accordance with the requirements of religion is protected under the Human Rights Law. (A4204/Ch. 154)
• Banning discrimination based on gender identity or expression in areas of employment, housing or public accommodations. (A0747/Ch. 8)
• Enacting sweeping new workplace harassment protections and establishing new remedies for victims of Sexual Harassment. (A8421/Ch. 160)
• Amend the Human Rights Law so that its antidiscrimination provisions, which afford protection against discrimination, harassment and bullying for members of protected groups, apply to public schools, and not just to private schools. (A3425/Ch. 116)
• Prohibits employers from discriminating against victims of domestic violence, provides reasonable accommodation in taking time off to, for example, seek medical attention or counseling attend child protective, and other court proceedings. (A5618/Ch. 176)

As a Legislator who consistently earns some of the highest scores from our State’s environmental watchdog organization, EPL Environmental Advocates, Assemblywoman Weinstein takes great pride in having consistently voted in favor of measures addressing environmental and climate concerns.

While the federal government ignores the reality of climate change, New York is leading the way to protect our communities, our economy and our state. A new law enacted this session, (Ch. 106 of 19) will put the state on a path to net zero emissions in all sectors of the economy and will enact the most aggressive emissions targets in the country, requiring one hundred percent carbon free electricity by the year 2040. Additionally, The budget:

• Provides $300 million for the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) to preserve our natural resources;
• Encourages the use of clean and alternative energy by providing $23 million for clean energy tax credits;
• Increases the state’s historic investment in clean water to $3 billion to address emerging contaminants, replace lead drinking water service lines and repair aging water mains and sewer lines; and
• Lowers the threshold for elevated blood lead levels to protect children from lead poisoning.