Assembly approves concurrent resolution electing Board of Regents nominees after debate

The New York State Assembly approved a concurrent resolution to elect members to the Board of Regents for the University of the State of New York after a floor debate about the selection process. The clerk read Assembly Number 151, and sponsors urged colleagues to advance the bipartisan list of nominees.

Sponsor Joseph Benedetto, speaking in favor, framed the vote as continuing a 241-year tradition and argued the regents play a central role in overseeing New York’s schools, SUNY campuses, libraries and professions. "I urge all of you to vote in favor of this resolution because these are the people and will be the people who make our education system the pride of these United States," Benedetto said.

Minority members objected to the process. Minority Conference Leader Walsh said the conference "will generally be in the negative on this resolution due to the fact that the minority does not actually select the regents who are being considered today," while noting she respected the qualifications of the nominees. Majority Leader People Stokes said the majority conference would generally support the nominations and thanked committee chairs and interviewers for their work.

Speakers on both sides described the regents' broad authority: the Assembly record notes that the Board of Regents oversees K–12 and higher education, libraries, museums, public broadcasting and the licensing of more than 56 professions. Supporters said 17 voluntary regent positions are filled through a bipartisan interview process and are typically five-year terms.

The recorded vote was announced as Ayes 104, Noes 41, and the resolution was adopted.

What happens next: The resolution advances the selected nominees through the statutory process described on the floor; no additional votes on this concurrent resolution were recorded during the session.