Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara is announcing a major victory for SUNY Schenectady and community colleges statewide.

As part of this year’s state budget, there will be an $8 million increase in aid for SUNY community colleges.

The new investments were pushed strongly by the assemblyman, particularly for SUNY Schenectady, which is in his district.

The money aims to support student success, faculty retention, workforce training and affordability.

Those are priorities that have taken center stage, as more New Yorkers turn to community college education.