Staff Reports
Associated Press
ALBANY —
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — A state official involved in the negotiations says Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and Senate leader John Sampson are crafting a bill that would empower the state’s public universities to grow unfettered by Albany and allow them greater control over raising tuition.
The official says negotiations that began in earnest Thursday are seen as a breakthrough on an issue holding up the state budget that was due April 1.
A second state official says the sides are close to agreement.
Both officials spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the talks.
Three senators whose districts have university centers that could be come flagship campuses under the plan have withheld their budget votes until a deal is struck.
