House Democrats Vote to Defund PA Colleges, Christiana Says
HARRISBURG – As chairman of the House Subcommittee on Higher Education, Rep. Jim Christiana (R-Beaver/Washington) Sunday expressed his disappointment in House Democrats, who amidst debate on budget-related legislation voted against state appropriations for all state-related universities in Pennsylvania.
Legislation that provides state funding to all state-related universities requires a two-thirds majority vote of the House to move forward.
“A ‘no’ vote to any of these bills is a vote against the university and its student body,” Christiana said. “Democrats essentially voted to defund some of the most esteemed schools in our state in an attempt to resurrect Governor Tom Wolf’s massive tax hikes on Pennsylvania families. I am disappointed, to say the least, that these lawmakers have chosen to use our schools and students as leverage. And the height of that hypocrisy is that they all voted against the Wolf budget on June 1.”
Under the bills that were voted down today, state-related universities, such as Penn State and its branch campuses and the University of Pittsburgh, were slated to receive a 3.5 percent increase in funding.
“Higher education is a top priority for me and for my House Republican colleagues. This budget makes significant investments in students at every level of education without a massive price tag for the taxpayers,” Christiana said. “At a time when we are welcoming new industry to our state, it’s especially important we fund our colleges. Pennsylvania receives a huge rate of return by investing in higher education programs that prepare our students for 21st century jobs that are readily available within our borders.”
House Bills 1385 (Penn State University),
1386 (University of Pittsburgh),
1387(Temple University),
1388 (Lincoln University) and
1389 (Penn Veterinary School) all failed to garner the number of votes necessary to be sent to the Senate.
“If Democrats want to continue to negotiate for higher taxes and spending, there are certainly more responsible ways to go about it,” Christiana added. “We should pass this 3.5 percent increase on-time without raising taxes. If the governor can secure enough votes for his massive tax increase then the General Assembly can pass a supplemental budget, but to try and shut down government and defund our schools as leverage for higher taxes is the most unconscionable way to govern.”
Representative Jim Christiana
15th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
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