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Liberty Partnership, STEP and CSTEP leaders warn proposed cuts would shrink STEM/health pipeline
Summary
Administrators and program directors told the joint committees that proposed reductions to Liberty Partnership, STEP and CSTEP funding would force elimination of projects in the new five‑year funding cycle, threatening the long‑term STEM and health workforce pipeline and outreach to underrepresented students.
Representatives of New York State’s pipeline programs — Liberty Partnership (LPP), STEP and CSTEP — told lawmakers that proposed reductions in the executive budget would have outsized consequences because grants operate on multiyear cycles and fund local projects that recruit, prepare and retain underrepresented students in STEM, health and licensed professions.
Liz Altman, president of Friends of the New York State Liberty Partnerships, said LPP serves high‑need youth embedded in local districts and community organizations and reported an 86% graduation rate among participants last year. She urged the Legislature to restore the executive cut and support a 20% increase so LPP can expand staffing, evidence‑based student supports, college‑bound summer programs and employer partnerships.
Ronaldo Alba, representing STEP/CSTEP program administrators, said the FY 2026 year starts a new five‑year awarding cycle and cuts this year will force eliminations of projects and destabilize long‑term pipelines into medicine, engineering and other fields. “Any loss of projects will severely destabilize these vital programs at their respective institutions,” Alba told the committees. He requested restoration of the proposed 4.37% reduction and urged a 20% increase to meet demand and expand student reach.
Why it matters: STEP, CSTEP and LPP are long‑standing, targeted programs that bring underrepresented students into STEM and health fields; reductions would shrink the statewide pipeline used by hospitals, research institutions and employers.
Ending note: Program leaders asked the Legislature to restore cuts and increase funding in the final budget to preserve the statewide network of projects and maintain the student pipeline to high‑demand careers.
