Higher+education+proposal+termed+nation's+most+onerous

=By Bill Schackner= =Published by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette= =2/8/12= = = = = = = =Pennsylvania's public universities, hit by severe funding cuts this year, would collectively lose a quarter of their general appropriation next year under Gov. Tom Corbett's proposed 2012-13 state budget, which provides nearly flat funding for public school districts.= = In what one national group called the most severe public university cuts proposed anywhere in the nation this year, the 14 state-owned universities belonging to the State System of Higher Education would see a 20 percent reduction, while three state-related schools -- the University of Pittsburgh, Penn State and Temple universities -- would absorb an even bigger cut of 30 percent. = =Mr. Corbett told legislators Tuesday his proposed spending plan aims to give counties and school districts greater flexibility in deciding how to use limited resources. "We need to have a thorough, public and candid conversation about how best to deal with the spiraling costs" of college, he said, announcing a new panel to study ways to make college accessible and affordable.= =But Daniel Hurley, an official with the Washington D.C.-based American Association of State Colleges and Universities, said the governor in fact will drive up those prices if his cuts are enacted. They come on top of last year's cuts of nearly 20 percent and are happening as other states work despite the bad economy to keep higher education funding flat or to low single-digit reductions, he said.= ="It's astonishing to see the governor put forth a supposedly pro-economic development budget proposal which simultaneously seeks to suffocate the state's economic engines, which are the state's universities," said Mr. Hurley, director of state relations and policy analysis.= = At Penn State, the $64 million loss would reduce general support from $227.5 million to $163.5 million. Last year, it lost $68 million. = ="In the months ahead we'll have an opportunity to make the Legislature aware of the likely impacts of these cuts for Penn State programs and how they will affect students and their families," said Penn State President Rodney Erickson. "We fully appreciate the financial pressure on the Commonwealth in identifying resources, and trust the state understands the consequences of continuing cuts of this magnitude."= = The 14 State System schools (including California, Clarion, Edinboro, Indiana and Slippery Rock universities in Western Pennsylvania) would see support drop to $330.2 million from $412.8 million, a nearly $83 million loss. = = Officials said the cuts, if enacted, would bring their subsidy within $2 million of 1988-89 levels. It would mean the 14 schools have lost $170 million in two years plus half the system's capital budget and money intended to reduce a backlog of deferred building maintenance. = ="We must increasingly decide whether to renovate and maintain our existing physical plant or provide students the courses and programs they require to graduate,'' said a joint statement by State System Board of Governors Chairman Guido Pichini and State System Chancellor John Cavanaugh.= = Pitt had no immediate comment on Mr. Corbett's proposal to cut its general support to $95.3 million from $136.1 million, a $41 million loss. = = The state's 14 community colleges would receive $221.9 million, down from $230.7 million in 2011-12. = =Mr. Corbett's basic education proposals were less stark. His plan increases public school grants and subsidies by $327 million to $10.5 billion, mostly due to increased employee retirement obligations.= =He proposed consolidating basic education funding, pupil transportation, non-public and charter school pupil transportation and employee social security into a single line item called the Student Achievement Education Block Grant that is $21.8 million larger than those items last year, saying it would give districts more flexibility.= = The Pennsylvania State Education Association accused Mr. Corbett of using a "fiscal shell game" to mask what it argues is in fact a $94.3 million reduction in those line items. = =Ron Cowell, president of The Education Policy and Leadership Center, doubted the block grant would provide much flexibility and would both undermine equity and end formulas that guaranteed state funding levels.= ="Clearly, the intent is to absolve the state of any legal responsibility for additional costs, whether that's higher social security obligations or any additional costs related to transportation including the price of fuel for the bus," he said.= =The college affordability panel will be headed by Rob Wonderling, president and chief executive officer of the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce and a former state senator.= =Pittsburgh Schools Superintendent Linda Lane said the district is pleased basic education was not cut but expressed concern over early childhood funding reductions.= = = =Read more: [|http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/12039/1208754-454-0.stm#ixzz1lqUGvyX2] = = = = = = = =News= =home=