For now, the agency is seeking permission from the state Department of Environmental Protection to create a broad master plan.

Districts are not allowed to raise taxes above that index unless they allow voters to vote by referendum, or they seek an exception from the state Department of Education.

On February 8, 2013, the SUNY Board of Trustees voted "to support a decision by SUNY Downstate Medical Center leadership to seek approval from the state Department of Health to cease operation of [LICH] as a full-service inpatient hospital facility."