Blog
State budget update: Full restoration of state system funding is vital to ensure high-quality education at reasonable cost
APSCUF has been monitoring the Pennsylvania state budget debate closely since Gov. Tom Corbett introduced his spending plan in early March. We were deeply concerned when Corbett’s budget proposed a potentially devastating 54-percent cut for the State System of Higher Education. Over the past few weeks, APSCUF has met with legislative leaders, testified at hearings and joined rallies to promote education funding in Pennsylvania. Our focus has been convincing policymakers to restore State System funding to prevent tuition hikes and program cuts. read more…
State budget finally moving? It’s finals week for the legislature, too
Here’s the latest word from the Capitol – after weeks of hearings and behind-the-scenes talks, the state House is finally set to bring up a budget bill for initial consideration next week. read more…
Legislative update – Rep. Baker’s Higher Education Modernization Act and Marcellus Shale
Even as the state budget is being debated in Harrisburg, our state senators and representatives are working on other pieces of legislation with relevance for APSCUF.
A member of the PASSHE Board of Governors, state Rep. Matt Baker recently introduced the Commonwealth Higher Education Modernization Act, which “provides guidelines to allow State-owned universities and PASSHE employees to enter into agreements for economic development transactions that inure to the benefit of the State-owned university and PASSHE employees and provides for applied doctorates at state-owned universities,” according to a summary by Pennsylvania Legislative Services. read more…
Rally for a responsible state budget in Harrisburg tomorrow
If you still haven’t made it to Harrisburg to stand and be counted in the state budget fight, tomorrow is another great opportunity with the Rally for a Responsible Budget, sponsored by the CLEAR Coalition.
Thousands of people will travel from all across Pennsylvania to participate in the rally and meet with their elected officials. The event’s speakers will be ordinary people – custodians, teachers, health care workers, seniors – people who would experience the disastrous effects if the Corbett budget proposal goes through. read more…
Is this the change people want?
Since he became Chancellor almost three years ago, Dr. Cavanaugh has crossed the state (if not the nation), talking about “how our institutions need to change in the 21st century.” The Board of Governor’s latest articulation of the change is their four points of transformation (something of a synonym for change).
Governor Corbett’s March 8 appropriations budget puts Chancellor Cavanaugh’s remarks in stark relief: if PASSHE has to live with the cuts proposed by the governor (approximately 15% of our operating budget), PASSHE will change. read more…