Corbett Proposes Budget
Gov. Tom Corbett lobbied for more devastating cuts to education in his budget address on Tuesday, drawing heavy criticism from House Democrats.
The Governor’s proposed education cuts include:
· A 20 percent cut in funding for state universities;
· Approximately a 30 percent cut for Penn State University, the University of Pittsburgh, and Temple University;
· A $100 million cut in accountability block grants to schools;
· And $8 million cut from community colleges.
If the proposed cuts are passed, Penn State would have half the funding it had in the 2010-2011 fiscal year, which was Gov. Ed Rendell's last budget.
In response to these proposed cuts, Rep. Mike Sturla, (D-Lancaster), Chairman of the House Democratic Policy Committee, questioned the effects they would have on students. “Governor Corbett remains steadfast on reversing the extraordinary academic progress our students made prior to his taking office by again underfunding public education at unprecedented levels. With 40 children in a classroom, less access to technological tools and less space available in afterschool programs how can Pennsylvania cultivate the next generation of innovators or even compete for jobs in today’s global economy?”
Many programs under the Department of Agriculture are also on the Corbett chopping block, including research and education initiatives, and grants for state fairs and other expositions. In response to reduced funding for programs many consider essential, Rep. Sturla added that, “The governor has spent too much time poking holes in the Commonwealth’s social safety net by eliminating and downsizing the programs that our states’ most vulnerable residents are increasingly depending on”.
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