The predictions by the heads of New York's two public university systems are the first step in lobbying Albany for a restoration of money.

He spoke of his efforts to lobby Washington and Albany for more aid, to make urban America's case with the rest of the country.

City and suburban officials have joined tenants to lobby Albany for more housing.

"Every other group lobbying Albany has been involved in lobbying, letter-writing campaigns and advocacy," he said.

Even critics agree the two counties can benefit by joining in lobbying Albany and Washington for help on Medicaid costs and other issues.

Some fiscal analysts have argued that he should do more to lobby Albany for relief.

Tonight, he met with city officials, state legislators, parents and union representatives to devise a plan to lobby Albany for more money.

That working relationship was cemented when management and labor lobbied Albany together in late 2001 to pump funds into the health care field to lift wages.

Their goal: to suggest common solutions to the region's problems and to lobby Albany with a common agenda.

Transportation advocates who had lobbied Albany for more money expressed disappointment about the limited funds.