After occupying the statewide spotlight for weeks by almost single-handedly holding up passage of the long-delayed state budget, Sen. William T. Stachowski is now enduring a different brand of attention back home.

Stachowski's insistence that the budget include a plan to give the University at Buffalo more autonomy delayed budget passage into August -- until he finally backed off last week.

And while he insists a "framework" for the plan known as UB 2020 has been established, his retreat is now front and center in what may rank as the most competitive Senate campaign in New York State -- and of the Lake View Democrat's long career.

Did he "cave in" to the chamber's New York City leadership, as opponent Timothy M. Kennedy claims?

Or did Stachowski secure the best deal he could under impossible circumstances, setting the stage for some progress on the UB plan?

"I was actually applauding him for finally standing up for Western New York, only to be extremely disappointed by his action," said Kennedy, a South Buffalo county legislator challenging Stachowski in the Sept. 14 Democratic primary.

"I'm appalled, and quite frankly, the public I talk with is disgusted," he added. "Bill Stachowski gave away his biggest bargaining chip."

Kennedy laces his conversation liberally these days with constant references to "Albany politicians." He accuses the incumbent of becoming so "Albany status quo" that he sold out the potential for thousands of new jobs and downtown development so he and his legislative colleagues could once again receive a paycheck.

"The bottom line is that he gave his word on UB 2020, and that he would deliver it in its entirety," he said. "He went back on his word and did not deliver."

When he is a senator, Kennedy promises, he won't cave in.

"When I say I will take a stand on an issue that's important to Western New York, I will keep my word," he said.

That's all easy to say in the midst of a heated campaign, Stachowski countered. Kennedy does not realize, he said, that after Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver put the kibosh on UB 2020 and dismissed his chamber from further budget discussions, any more resistance was futile.

Even if he did continue his holdout, Stachowski said, nothing could happen without Assembly action -- guaranteed not to happen.

"How would Kennedy have any idea what goes on in Albany?" Stachowski asked. "This was all about the issue, and trying to get something done."

Indeed, Stachowski emphasizes, he did bring something back -- a "framework" agreement that after further tweaking (especially over how UB can enter into partnerships with private corporations) will give the university much of what it was seeking.

"I think the framework will be the deal, the deal will move forward, and UB will be better off," the senator said. "Will we build new buildings in 10 years? It might take longer. But absolutely there will be jobs created."

Stachowski has his defenders.

SUNY Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher said he was among the "champions" who helped achieve what they did.

"I would certainly say Sen. Stachowski led the way -- I have to give Sen. Stachowski credit," she said. "He stuck to his guns. Now, in the end, there were immense pressures for a whole host of reasons."

Kennedy blasts Stachowski for following Senate leaders, but Senate Majority Conference Leader John L. Sampson said Stachowski "demonstrated real leadership and courage on behalf of Western New York."

"The jobs we will create and the world-class centers for learning we will construct are only possible because of his relentless advocacy," Sampson said. "Our next generation of thinkers, leaders and workers produced by UB will owe him a debt of gratitude."

Even the Republican in the Senate race, Assemblyman Jack F. Quinn III of Hamburg, cannot find fault with his opponent.

"I firmly believe that Bill did everything possible from his end that he could do," Quinn said. "The bigger issue is that it was Shelly Silver who never wanted it to happen, and he put John Sampson in a box."

After the Assembly left town, he said, Sampson and Stachowski had "nowhere to go" and faced a budget already four months' overdue.

"For anybody to politicize this and say 'I would have done more' is taking the cheap way out," Quinn said. "Any bill has to pass both houses and there was never any intent by Shelly Silver and the Assembly majority to get this done."

But Kennedy does not spare Quinn either. He said "Albany incumbent Jack Quinn" never raised his voice loud enough on an issue crucial to Western New York.

"If you're in Albany and you don't speak up, you're not doing your job," he said.

The SUNY plan calls for annual tuition increases, driving proceeds to the colleges and making it easier for them to enter into partnerships and leasing deals with private companies. It is still not known how much of that wish list is included in the framework agreement.

Still, the failure of the Legislature to enact the UB plan prompted UB President John Simpson to voice his disappointment.

UB 2020 now needs a new title, he said last week, reflecting a new hoped-for completion date: UB 2030.

"Even 2030, given the events of the last couple of days, is very optimistic," Simpson said.

And Zimpher, asked if she shares Stachowski's optimism about the plan, could only reply: "I hope he's right."

Tom Precious of the News Albany Bureau contributed to this report.

rmccarthy@buffnews.comnull