The House Appropriations Committee held a budget hearing this morning with the Department of Education. Ron Tomalis, Secretary of the Department of Education, fielded questions from committee members on a number of issues including cuts to higher education, cuts to early childhood programs, and the increase in pension obligations. Check the Capitol Toolbox later this evening for the full story on the hearing. Not a PLS Capitol Toolbox subscriber? You can now purchase individual budget hearing recaps here.
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Posted by Matt | Tags: Budget, education, Higher Education | Category: Budget Hearing, House Appropriations | Comments are closed | Share:
Temple University responded to questions from the Senate Appropriations Committee members this afternoon, addressing a range of topics including the proposed cut to its budget, the impact on tuition and the school’s public mission, and the state of the university hospital. Vice President Tony Wagner told the committee the cut proposed in the Corbett budget works out to 5 percent of its educational and general funds budget, contrary to assertions by the Corbett Administration that it is a 1.8 percent cut. Wagner said for that number to be accurate it would have to include the budgets for all of Temple’s activities, not just education spending which is the only way the money can be spent. Larry Kaiser, Dean of the School of Medicine and Senior Executive Vice President for the Health Sciences, detailed the Temple University hospital’s work and noted its effective status as a relied-upon provider of last resort for healthcare in Philadelphia. Check the Capitol Toolbox later this evening for the full story on the hearing. Not a PLS Capitol Toolbox subscriber? You can now purchase individual budget hearing recaps here. Posted by Mike | Tags: Budget, healthcare, Higher Education, Temple | Category: Budget Hearing, Senate Appropriations | Comments are closed | Share:
This afternoon, the Senate Appropriations Committee heard from Penn State President Rodney Erickson. President Erickson’s opening remarks revolved around the history of the University and its land grant mission. He also focused on the importance of Penn State as a top-notch research university. Members asked President Erickson a wide variety of questions about the challenges the University has and will be facing. Check the Capitol Toolbox later this evening for the full story on the hearing. Not a PLS Capitol Toolbox subscriber? You can now purchase individual budget hearing recaps here.
Posted by Rebecca | Tags: Budget, Higher Education, Penn State University, research | Category: Budget Hearing, Senate Appropriations | Comments are closed | Share:
The House Appropriations Committee continued its budget hearings this morning with the presidents of the state-related universities: Penn State, Pitt, Temple and Lincoln. The presidents called the proposed budget a “move toward privatization” of the universities and discussed the adverse effects the cuts would have on the universities. Committee members questioned the presidents about tuition increases, economic impact, and including the universities under the Right-To-Know Act. Check out the PLS Capitol Toolbox later today to read the full story. Posted by Matt | Tags: Budget, Higher Education | Category: Budget Hearing, House Appropriations | Comments are closed | Share:
The Senate Appropriations Committee held its final budget hearing of the day with Pennsylvania Treasurer Rob McCord. Members asked the Treasurer a number of questions, the bulk of which related to tuition costs and the affordability of higher education as it relates to the TAP program overseen by the department. Members also asked about staff levels at the department, computer system upgrades, and unclaimed property. Look for the complete story in the Capitol Toolbox later this evening. Posted by Kim | Tags: Budget, Higher Education, IT, tuition | Category: Budget Hearing, Senate Appropriations | Comments are closed | Share:
Republican Approps Chair Bill Adolph (R-Delaware) House Republicans, followed shortly thereafter by House Democrats, reacted this evening to a series of failed higher education votes on the House Floor, leaving Temple, Pitt, and Penn State currently unfunded for the upcoming fiscal year. The non-preferred education votes require a two-thirds majority to pass, and all but Lincoln University failed to win the necessary support. Republican Leader Mike Turzai characterized the no votes by Democrats as “obstructionist.” Minority Whip Mike Hanna (D-Clinton) House Democrats defended their votes as being in defense of middle class Pennsylvanians, whom they believe are at risk of tuition hikes if the 19 percent cuts for laid out in the non-preferreds go into effect. Rep. Dan Frankel (D-Allegheny) criticized House Republicans for leaving Democrats “frozen out” of budget negotiations, while Minority Leader Frank Dermody (D-Allegheny) said Democrats have not been privy to general appropriations info they need to make informed decisions. Check the Capitol Toolbox later in the evening for the full Continue reading House Rs, Ds react to non-preferred votes Posted by Mike | Tags: Budget, Higher Education, non-preferred appropriations | Category: Press Conference | Comments are closed | Share:
Pushed back by more than an hour from its original start time because of lengthy hearings with state system and state-related universities, President JimPreston took questions from House Appropriations Committee members at the PHEAA budget hearing this afternoon. Preston discussed cuts and eliminations of a variety of grant programs, as well as several that are being shifted to PHEAA’s purview from the Department of Education. He also spoke to the “very active discussion” going on at the federal level with respect to Pell Grant funding. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story. Posted by Mike | Tags: Higher Education, Pell Grants, PHEAA | Category: Budget Hearing, House Appropriations | Comments are closed | Share:
In a 2-hour budget hearing this afternoon, the House Appropriations Committee heard from PASSHE Chancellor Dr. John C. Cavanaugh and Clarion University President, Dr. Karen Whitney and Bloomsburg University President Dr. David L. Soltz. Ninety percent of the State System’s students come from within PA. Members and the panel heavily discussed consequences to the proposed budget cuts, along with possible solutions. Check out the Capitol Toolbox later this evening for the full story. Posted by Rebecca | Tags: Budget, Higher Education, state system of higher education | Category: Budget Hearing, House Appropriations, Update | Comments are closed | Share:
The Senate Appropriations Committee held its first budget hearing this morning with Budget Secretary Charles Zogby. Among both Democrat and Republican members, concern was evident over proposed budget cuts for higher education by the Administration. Sec. Zogby made clear that Gov. Corbett intends to keep to his “no new taxes” commitment, but acknowledged there is room for negotiation with legislative leaders on particular areas of priority. At the hearing Sec. Zogby also discussed the Budget Office’s revenue expectations for the remainder of the fiscal year, and defended the decision not to tax Marcellus Shale gas extraction given cuts to other line items including the Office of Health Care Reform and job training programs within the Department of Labor and Industry. Other areas of discussion ranged from the state’s troubled 800mhz radio system to the proposed elimination of 1,500 state jobs and the consolidated Liberty Loan Fund in the Department of Community and Economic Development. PLS subscribers check the Capitol Toolbox later for full coverage. Not a subscriber? Inquire about a free trial! Posted by Mike | Tags: Budget, Higher Education, marcellus shale | Category: Budget Hearing, Senate Appropriations | Comments are closed | Share:
Members of the House met today with Act 101 directors from schools across the state, and spoke on the underfunded program, and the need of underprivileged students to have equal opportunity in high education. Rep. Johnson and others spoke of the cuts over the past five years, and the need to reverse the trend. Look up the full story in the Capitol Toolbox link, later this afternoon. Posted by intern | Tags: Act 101, Higher Education | Category: Press Conference | Comments are closed | Share:
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