Legislators to restore some education cuts
-
Hundreds of students from across the state rally against Gov. Tom Corbett's proposed budget cuts for higher education at the Capitol in Harrisburg.
Share with others:
HARRISBURG -- Calling the governor's proposed cuts to higher education "unacceptable," lawmakers from both sides of the aisle told university officials and students that they'll be fighting for more funding in the final spending plan.
House lawmakers echoed their Senate colleagues in their support of restoring a portion of the $554 million to be slashed from assistance to State System schools and the four state-related universities -- Penn State, Pitt, Temple and Lincoln.
"We simply can't own, or say that we own, a state system of higher education and then not fund it," said Rep. Glen Grell, R-Cumberland.
As university officials were pleading their case before a House panel, hundreds of college students filled the Capitol steps to reinforce that message.
Armed with signs reading "We're already broke" and "Cutting education just funds ignorance," students hollered loudly in the freezing weather as lawmakers pledged to help.
"We know these are difficult times," said Rep. Dan Frankel, D-Squirrel Hill. "We know there is a proposal to cut funding for our state-supported colleges and universities in half," drawing boos from the crowd as he mentioned the governor's budget plan.
"And we know we will not let our students carry all of that burden!" Mr. Frankel shouted, as the boos turned to cheers.
The governor has defended those cuts as necessary to help fill a $4.2 billion budget gap. His administration says universities have been hiking tuition even with state aid and need to re-examine their budgets.
Penn State and the State System schools are discussing salary freezes for staff, but those officials say tuition hikes and other changes also would be needed.
For the State System schools, the loss of $232 million in state funds and another $38 million in federal stimulus money would divide out to an average cut of $19 million per school.
First Published March 29, 2011 12:00 am
