In legislative budget hearings, higher ed union leaders called for lawmakers to significantly boost funding for SUNY, CUNY and community colleges and to support the New Deal for Higher Education. Fred Kowal, president of United University Professions, highlighted the need to stop SUNY’s hospital closure plan for SUNY Downstate and the need for more funding to help fiscally distressed SUNY campuses. James Davis, president of Professional Staff Congress/CUNY, called for restoring cuts in the executive budget and the need for new CUNY operating aid. Andy Sako, president of the Faculty Federation of Erie Community College, called on the state to meet its legal obligations for funding operating costs at community colleges.