The Pennsylvania Senate last week voted 39-8 to pass a $27.65 billion budget alternative to Governor Corbett’s February budget proposal.  Twelve Democratic members joined the 27 Republicans in a bi-partisan vote on this version of the state budget.  This budget (SB 1466) increases state spending by nearly 2 percent with the biggest budget restoration ($245 million) for the 18 state supported higher education institutions.  Senate Appropriations Chair Jake Corman (R-Centre), who has Penn State in his district, sponsored the bill.  In the Senate plan, $8 million of the Governor’s proposed cut of $19 million for PHEAA grants were restored.  However, the Institutional Assistance Grants (IAGs) were restored to the $24 million appropriated (pre-freeze) amount of the current fiscal year.

There was little mention of the higher education funding in the floor debate.   However Senator Corman at the end of the debate, indicated that he had an agreement from all the public college presidents and chancellors to hold tuition increases to the level of inflation or below for the upcoming year in exchange for level funding.  House Majority Leader Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny) indicated that any additional funding for the public universities would have to include this agreement.   SB 1466 also provides additional resources for county welfare programs, basic education block grants and fiscally distressed K-12 school districts.

SB 1466 is now in the House Appropriations committee.  Rep. Turzai last week called the Senate proposed total spending level a “ceiling.”  Governor Corbett’s Budget Secretary Charles Zogby said the Senate spending plan is too high, suggesting it could become unsustainable in future years due to increased mandated costs for rising pensions and corrections.  But Senator Corman and Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi, (R-Delaware) indicated that the spending could go higher if May revenues increase. Some Democrats in the Senate opposed the bill for not going far enough in supporting human services programs.  The Governor indicated that negotiations with the House and the Senate could produce a more “reasonable” number.  However, Senator Corman indicated that “if Corbett proposes reducing higher education funding, I think we’re not going to be interested in that obviously.”

It is possible that the House may introduce its own budget proposal in the next couple of weeks or after the May revenues are known.   AICUP continues to advocate for level funding for PHEAA grants and to expand the PHEAA income limits to reach more working class families.  The budget deadline for the state is June 30, 2011.

Did you know?  You can listen to comments by Senator Scarnati, Pileggi and Corman on the budget at: Pennsylvania Senate Republicans Discuss Budget  under Senate Approves FY 2012-13 Budget.

 

 

 

The Pennsylvania Senate last week voted 39-8 to pass a $27.65 billion budget alternative to Governor Corbett’s February budget proposal.  Twelve Democratic members joined the 27 Republicans in a bi-partisan vote on this version of the state budget.  This budget (SB 1466) increases state spending by nearly 2 percent with the biggest budget restoration ($245 million) for the 18 state supported higher education institutions.  Senate Appropriations Chair Jake Corman (R-Centre), who has Penn State in his district, sponsored the bill.  In the Senate plan, $8 million of the Governor’s proposed cut of $19 million for PHEAA grants were restored.  However, the Institutional Assistance Grants (IAGs) were restored to the $24 million appropriated (pre-freeze) amount of the current fiscal year.

There was little mention of the higher education funding in the floor debate.   However Senator Corman at the end of the debate, indicated that he had an agreement from all the public college presidents and chancellors to hold tuition increases to the level of inflation or below for the upcoming year in exchange for level funding.  House Majority Leader Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny) indicated that any additional funding for the public universities would have to include this agreement.   SB 1466 also provides additional resources for county welfare programs, basic education block grants and fiscally distressed K-12 school districts.

SB 1466 is now in the House Appropriations committee.  Rep. Turzai last week called the Senate proposed total spending level a “ceiling.”  Governor Corbett’s Budget Secretary Charles Zogby said the Senate spending plan is too high, suggesting it could become unsustainable in future years due to increased mandated costs for rising pensions and corrections.  But Senator Corman and Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi, (R-Delaware) indicated that the spending could go higher if May revenues increase. Some Democrats in the Senate opposed the bill for not going far enough in supporting human services programs.  The Governor indicated that negotiations with the House and the Senate could produce a more “reasonable” number.  However, Senator Corman indicated that “if Corbett proposes reducing higher education funding, I think we’re not going to be interested in that obviously.”

It is possible that the House may introduce its own budget proposal in the next couple of weeks or after the May revenues are known.   AICUP continues to advocate for level funding for PHEAA grants and to expand the PHEAA income limits to reach more working class families.  The budget deadline for the state is June 30, 2011.

Did you know?  You can listen to comments by Senator Scarnati, Pileggi and Corman on the budget at: Pennsylvania Senate Republicans Discuss Budget  under Senate Approves FY 2012-13 Budget.