Penn State news by
Penn State's student blog

Topics

More

Gov. Wolf Expected To Approve State Budget Including Increased Funding For Penn State

The magic of a UPUA #PassIt campaign strikes again — Pennsylvania lawmakers finalized a budget that Govenor Tom Wolf is expected to sign off on. Better yet, the 2016-17 budget, a $1.3 billion revenue package, didn’t require a nine-month stalemate.

Most importantly here in Happy Valley however is the general support appropriation increase. The Pennsylvania budget includes a 2.5 percent funding increase for Penn State and $600 million overall set aside for the state-related schools (Penn State, Pitt, Temple, and Lincoln).

The general support appropriations is used primarily to lower tuition for in-state students. In addition to the $230.4 million general support appropriation, Penn State also received $20 million for the Pennsylvania College of Technology (a $490,000 increase), $51.8 million for the Agricultural Research and Cooperative Extension (a $1.26 million increase), and $13.4 million for the Hershey Medical Center.

“The legislature’s continued and increased investment will aid in our efforts to provide access to a world-class education for all qualified Pennsylvanians,” said President Barron. “We look forward to the continued strengthening of our 150-year partnership with the Commonwealth in the years ahead, for the benefit of Pennsylvania’s workforce and economy.”

The appropriation is the second increase to Penn State’s funding since 2008. Though the last budget caused such a headache, the university still saw a 5 percent increase over the previous years funding. Penn State continues to fight for the general funding appropriation it had in 2011 ($264.3 million) before the state handed down funding cuts to higher education.

The state will fund the budget with a variety of tax increases, including a $1.00/pack tax raise on tobacco products and a new tax that will apply to the online purchase of books, movies, games, music, and the like. The tax increases are some of the most significant for an election year for Pennsylvania in years.

Penn State’s Board of Trustees is planing to go over the budget and tuition schedule when it meets next week in Wilkes-Barre for the Board’s July meeting. Hopefully with the good news there won’t have to be any talk of layoffs and closures that scared the university during the last budget cycle.

Your ad blocker is on.

Please choose an option below.

Sign up for our e-mail newsletter:
OR
Support quality journalism:
Purchase a Subscription!

About the Author

Lexi Shimkonis

Lexi is an editor-turned-staff writer who can often be found at either Irving's or the Phyrst (with the chances she'll have her backpack being the same). Lexi is a senior hailing from Spring City, PA (kind of) and studying Civil Engineering. Please email questions and/or pleas for an Instagram caption to [email protected], or for a more intimate bond, follow her on Twitter @lexshimko.

DuBois Goodwill Sells Rare Lego Piece For Over $18,000

While it took some time for Goodwill experts to know what they had on their hands, initial offers for the piece came in at $30,000.

New Defensive Coordinator Tom Allen Brings Key Wrinkles To Penn State Football’s Defense

“We try to keep things simple so we can play fast.”

Women’s History Month: Five Influential Penn State Alumnae

To celebrate Women’s History Month, learn more about five influential Penn State alumnae.

Follow on Another Platform
113kFollowers
164kFollowers
59.4kFollowers
4,570Subscribers
Other posts by Lexi

A Special, Precious, & Eventful Experience: Lexi Shimkonis’ Senior Column

“And here in this lovely, intriguing spot called Penn State, each of us staked our own special, precious, and eventful life.” — Ross Lehman

Homecoming To Replace King And Queen With Gender-Neutral Court

[Video] An Interview With Line Dance Leader Gina DeFrancesco