Impact

Gov. Corbett shares 2013-14 Pennsylvania budget proposal

HARRISBURG, Pa. -- As anticipated, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett today (Feb. 5) presented his 2013-14 budget, which included level funding of a little more than $214 million for Penn State's annual state appropriation. Also contained in his budget proposal is level funding at nearly $13.6 million for Penn College and $44.7 million for Agricultural Research and Extension.

"In this difficult budget environment, the governor's offer of level funding is a clear sign that higher education is critical for Pennsylvania's economic recovery and for our next generation of workers. The governor's budget proposal is the beginning of a long process of legislative review and we are pleased that he has recommended no cuts in our appropriation this year," said Penn State President Rodney Erickson.

Last week, at a Harrisburg press conference held by Gov. Corbett, Penn State and the other public universities in the state promised to keep next year's tuition increases as low as possible in exchange for the level-funding proposal. Representing Penn State at the press conference were Robert Pangborn, interim executive vice president and provost, and Keith Masser, chairman of the Penn State Board of Trustees. Last year, Penn State instituted an average tuition increase of 2.4 percent for undergraduate students, representing the lowest tuition increase at the University since 1967 and one of the lowest among public universities in the nation.

During the unveiling of his fiscal blueprint, Corbett said that his administration would pledge to support public higher education to keep it accessible to Pennsylvania residents, in collaboration with public university administrations. “We intend to maintain full funding levels for state and state-related universities as well, that is $1.58 billion dollars that will go toward these institutions. At the same time, the leaders of these universities have promised to work to keep tuition increases as low as possible for our students,” he said. “Our commitment allows schools to plan their budgets for the coming year and make the best use of their resources. Their commitment should allow students and their families to plan their own budgets.

“Our message to our college students today is that both my administration and the leaders of your state and state-related schools are committed to making the dream of higher education attainable,” he added.

The next step in the appropriation process is for President Erickson to appear before the Pennsylvania House Appropriations Committee on Feb. 25 and the Senate Appropriations Committee on Feb. 28 to answer questions on behalf of the University and make a solid case for adequate funding from the state. For a look at the governor's full $28.4 billion budget proposal for the state, go to http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/current_and_proposed_commonwealth_budgets/4566. Corbett's plan would raise state spending by 2.4 percent.

Last Updated February 8, 2013

Contact