Legislation and Public Policy

APSCUF provides members important and timely updates on public affairs including the monitoring of state legislation and regulations that impact faculty for the SSHE institutions. In light of increased attention on the part of public policy makers, it is vital that APSCUF remain alert to changes and proposed changes undertaken that could compromise the quality of education at Pennsylvania's SSHE institutions.

We will regularly post information here about current happenings on the public policy scene affecting APSCUF members. The Legislative Update is provided by State APSCUF Governmental Relations Director Laura Statler.

*NEW*  LOOK UP YOUR LEGISLATOR!  SIMPLY CLICK ON THE GRAPHIC BELOW, TYPE YOUR ZIP CODE, AND YOUR LEGISLATORS WILL BE REVEALED.

APSCUF TO HOST LEGISLATIVE RECEPTION ON JUNE 2!

CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS ABOUT APSCUF'S RECEPTION

PA SENATE VOTES ON ITS OWN BUDGET PLAN, SENATE BILL 850, WHICH HURTS PASSHE UNIVERSITIES

By a 30-20 party-line vote, The Senate approved their version of the budget on May 6, 2009, stating that deep cuts are necessary because the state is likely to face over a $3 billion dollar deficit by June 30, the end of the current fiscal year.  This budget has been viewed as a scaled-down counterproposal to Gov. Rendell's proposed budget in February, one that would reduce state funding for public schools, welfare, and economic-development programs.  The GOP's $27.3 billion plan is nearly 6 percent less than the $29 billion spending plan proposed by Rendell in February and would use $2.7 billion in federal stimulus funds to help compensate for some of the cuts.  Legally, a state budget must be approved by July 1. Since Rendell took office in 2003, no budget has been passed on time.

The Senate’s proposed budget bill, as introduced, cuts funding for the State System of Higher Education by $15 million; slashes PHEAA Grants to students to levels not seen since 2007; and slashes the Governor’s proposed allocation to the state’s 14 community colleges by $5 million.  Among the cuts to PHEAA programs is a 15.5 percent cut to the Agricultural Loan Forgiveness program and a 23 percent cut in the Nursing Shortage Initiative.  SB 850 also transfers a total of $7.9 million from the Higher Education Assistance Fund to the General Fund to help balance the budget.

The House Appropriations Committee recently held hearings on Senate Bill 850 on May 21 and 22 in Harrisburg.  Next, the Appropriations Committee, and then the full House, will have to decide which budget to approve--SB 850 or Rendell's proposed budget, or whether to craft a compromise bill, which would go back to the Senate.  It appears that the Democratic members of the House Appropriations Committee have no plans of approving the budget adopted by Senate Republicans. 

Advocacy by APSCUF members is vital during the month of June when budget negotiations take place.  Please consider joining APSCUF for its Lobby Day events on June 2-3, 2009 to fight these budget cuts.  To participate, contact Ty Marks at tmarks@apscuf.org.  If you can’t participate, please contact your local legislators by phone, email or letter, and let them know your outrage.  You can find your local legislators by plugging in your zip code on APSCUF’s website at http://www.apscuf.org/.

APSCUF 2008 General Election Endorsements/Results

APSCUF ENDORSED CANDIDATES - HOW THEY FARED

COMPLETE LIST OF GENERAL ELECTION WINNERS

THE COMPLETE APSCUF ENDORSEMENT LIST

Maps of PA House and Senate Districts

PA House Legislative Districts -- Map

PA Senate Legislative Districts -- Map

APSCUF LEGISLATIVE GOALS AND PRIORITIES

Click here to view APSCUF's list of Legislative Goals and Priorities

APSCUF Hosts Successful Open House

State APSCUF hosted an Open House on September 23.  PASSHE Chancellor John Cavanaugh teamed with State APSCUF President Steve Hicks to lead discussions among PASSHE students, faculty, administration, and retired faculty.

RETIREMENT SWITCH LEGISLATION INFORMATION

Important information on Retirement System Switch Legislation

APSCUF 2008 PRIMARY RESULTS!

CLICK HERE TO SEE HOW CANDIDATES ENDORSED BY APSCUF FARED IN THE PRIMARY ELECTION!

APSCUF LEGISLATIVE FOCUS SERIES

*NEW*: LEGISLATIVE FOCUS 15 (Created September 5, 2008)

LEGISLATIVE FOCUS 14 (Created March 27, 2008)

LEGISLATIVE FOCUS 13 (Created October 30, 2007)

LEGISLATIVE FOCUS 12 (Created September 5, 2007)

LEGISLATIVE FOCUS 11 (Created March 29, 2007)

LEGISLATIVE FOCUS 10 (Created March 21, 2007)

LEGISLATIVE FOCUS 9 (Created January 29, 2007)

LEGISLATIVE FOCUS 8 (Created: October 27, 2006)

LEGISLATIVE FOCUS 7 (Created: September 1, 2006)

LEGISLATIVE FOCUS 6 (Created: June 6, 2006)

LEGISLATIVE FOCUS 5 (Created: April 13, 2006)

LEGISLATIVE FOCUS 4 (Created: January 20, 2006)

LEGISLATIVE FOCUS 3 (Created: August 4, 2005)

LEGISLATIVE FOCUS 2 (Created: July 8, 2005)

LEGISLATIVE FOCUS 1 (Created: June 17, 2005)

2005-06 State Appropriations Summary

APSCUF Legislative News

FINAL ACADEMIC FREEDOM REPORT!