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Spending plan provides major funds to public education

LOCK HAVEN — Pennsylvania’s Senate will vote on the state’s new $32.7 billion state budget today.

The spending package, which passed without a hitch in the House on Wednesday, does not include a tax increase. It also features major increases in funding for early education, area school districts and higher education.

“I’m happy we were able to increase funding for basic, special and early education by $140 million and in higher education by $15 million,” said State Rep. Mike Hanna (D-Lock Haven), the House Democratic Whip. “We need to start relieving our students and families of some of the highest higher education tuition rates in the nation, and the crushing debt burden that too many young people face as they leave school and begin their families and careers.”

School districts in Clinton and Centre counties will receive a combined $55.5 million for basic education costs and nearly $9 million for special education. Here is the breakdown:

r Keystone Central School District – $20.5 million in basic education and $3.3 million in special education.

r Bellefonte Area School District – $8.4 million in basic education and $1.7 million for special education.

r Jersey Shore Area School District – $13.1 million in basic education and $1.8 million in special education.

r Bald Eagle Area School District – $8.2 million in basic education and $1.3 million for special education.

r Penns Valley Area School District – $5.3 million in basic education and $878,984 in special education.

Schools are seeing a $30 million increase in funds for Career and Technical Education programs, with $10 million of that going toward basic career and technical education. The rest, $20 million, will go toward expanding computer science programs, STEM development and promoting employer engagement.

Hanna said he appreciates the funding, because more and more students are choosing careers that require technical and vocational education.

“We want to make sure our workers are ready now and in the future to fill the jobs that businesses are demanding, and we want working people in Pennsylvania to have the opportunity to constantly move forward in their career so they can earn good wages, support their families and enjoy long-term financial security,” Hanna said.

The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE), which includes Lock Haven University, and state-related schools like Penn State, University of Pittsburgh, Temple University and Lincoln University will also receive funding increases. PASSHE schools are set for a 3.3 percent funding increase and state-related schools will receive a 3 percent increase.

“Lock Haven University appreciates the support from both the governor and the Legislature represented by the increase proposed in next year’s state budget,” said Dr. Donna Wilson, Lock Haven University interim president. “We are acutely aware that affordability is a significant consideration for our students, prospective students, and their families as they seek to achieve greater opportunity through a university credential. The $15 million increase would help Lock Haven University continue to provide access to affordable and high-quality postsecondary degrees and credentials for our region and the Commonwealth.”

Hanna expressed excitement that Gov. Wolf and the General Assembly invested in the PASSHE system.

“This increase in state aid will allow PASSHE to continue its mission of keeping our universities like Lock Haven University affordable for Pennsylvania’s middle-class families and all students who want to attend them,” he said.

Penn State President Eric Barron recommended to his university’s Board of Trustees that they not increase tuition next year if the budget passes in the Senate.

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