An important Republican official on the Committee for Higher Education expressed his support for Stony Brook's flagship status during the university's trip to Albany Day.

Nassau County Assemblyman Tom Alfano said that Stony Brook University is in a "great position" for being named a flagship university. He has served in the assembly for 12 years and is attracting support from across the aisle in the Democratic-controlled assembly.

His support for the flagship is crucial because he sits on the Committee for Higher Education that is responsible for working out the fine details of funding the flagship through the privatization of the New York Lottery to create a $4 billion endowment to fund SUNY.

If SUNY schools are funded through the lottery endowment it'll be the first state in the nation to successfully pass this kind of legislation.

"I think we have no choice but to think outside of the box. New York is the financial center of the world and we have abundant resources to enact this legislation," Alfano said.

Alfano said that the details of Spitzer's plan still need to be worked out to ensure its success but he assured students that Spitzer has "worked with the most innovative and informed people" in drafting this legislation.

Alfano believes that Stony Brook deserves to be named a flagship school because of its contributions through research and has promised to fight for Stony Brook’s programs and funding.

Alfano had opposed former Governor Pataki’s cuts to SUNY funding and has been an advocate for higher education. Alfano assured students that he personally called Pataki and fought for the funding of higher education, including the funding of Stony Brook.

"I want to make sure everyone has an equal opportunity to study," he said.