Wolf: Money Isn't There For Funding State-Related Universities
HARRISBURG, Pa. (NewsRadio 1020 KDKA/AP) - A push by the Republican majority in Pennsylvania's House of Representatives to free up $578 million for Penn State and other state-related universities has failed.
Proponents in Monday's debate argued that both parties support the increases of at least 5 percent, but Democrats said lawmakers must end a state budget deadlock now in its seventh month before appropriating money for non-state entities.
Votes on all five bills fell short of the required two-thirds majority.
The bills call for funding increases for Penn State, Pitt, Temple and Lincoln, as well as the University of Pennsylvania's veterinarian school.
Most of the increases are 5 percent, but Lincoln would get a 7 percent boost and the Pennsylvania College of Technology, a Penn State affiliate, is slated to get an 11 percent increase.
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Gov. Tom Wolf joined the KDKA Morning News Tuesday to discuss the latest with the state budget and why the money can't currently be freed up for state universities.
Gov. Wolf says that Republicans "wanted to put up votes to appropriate some funding for [state-related universities], but there wasn't any money there."
He adds that "the Democratic members of the House did the courageous thing. They all support funding for [state-related schools], but enough is enough. There is not money there."
Listen to the KDKA Morning News with Larry Richert and John Shumway weekdays from 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. on NewsRadio 1020 KDKA.
(TM and © Copyright 2016 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2016 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
