Attempt to Advance Funding for State-Related Universities Thwarted

HARRISBURG - In an effort to secure the academic future of thousands of college students across Pennsylvania, state Rep. Kathy Watson (R-Bucks/144th) called for the release of nearly $700 million in state funding for Pennsylvania's four state-related universities. Legislative use of the House Rules was subverted late Wednesday night by the House Democrat Leader, who called on his membership to oppose doing the right thing by college students and their families.

On Wednesday evening, Watson invoked House Rule No. 17 to call special orders of business to consider the legislation that provides funding for Penn State, Pitt, Temple and Lincoln - as well as the University of Pennsylvania's School of Veterinary Medicine. Funding for these four universities, termed non-preferreds, was included as part of the General Fund state budget, but each is voted on separately.

On Thursday, after a promise to consider the funding right after table games legislation was voted, House Democrat Leaders - who resorted to the questionable parliamentary maneuvers Wednesday night in order to push through the legislation this week - adjourned session, in spite of the fact that the bills were noticed to be voted today.

"Since October's budget passage, this funding has been delayed until a deal on table games legislation could be reached and passed, and now, students and their families face increased tuition as a result of this inaction," Watson said. "Students and families have waited long enough for funding. For the House Majority Leadership to put gambling ahead of education is a shameful show of where their priorities lie."

Watson's special orders of business were voted down, largely along party lines. Opponents claimed that Senate Bill 711 - the table games legislation - was necessary before releasing the funding, contrary to reports by the House Appropriations Committee that the funding is already available. Instead, House Democrat Leadership is intent on pushing through the table games proposal and resorting to backroom-style trickery to force a vote on legislation that is not even agreed to by Senate leaders.

"It is a disgrace to yet again hold students and their families hostage while negotiating a major piece of public policy, especially one that is as flawed as Senate Bill 711," Watson said. "There are numerous questions about the bill in its current form, as well as the many amendments, and the impact this legislation will have on the integrity of the industry and the impact upon the state budget and property tax relief. These questions must be answered.

"Supplemental tuition bills for these universities may be sent out shortly, and would reflect a substantial increase due to the delay in state funding, that the students and their families would have to bear," she explained. "There is no reason to put any more financial strain on families, especially at the holidays and with sufficient funding available and earmarked."

If Watson's initiative had been successful, these five Senate bills would have been able to go directly to the governor for his signature. Even Gov. Ed Rendell, who hailed education to be his top priority in this fiscal year's budget, has demanded table games legislation in order to transfer the money to the educational institutions.

Pictured in the photo courtesy of Watson's office are Watson pointing out on the official House calendar legislation to be considered Thursday to release state funding for the four state-related universities. Also pictured are Minority Whip Mike Turzai (orange tie) and Minority Leader Sam Smith (red tie).