PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Gov. Josh Shapiro on Thursday shared his vision for the future of higher education in the commonwealth. Speaking at West Chester University, he proposed significant tuition drops for lots of students.
According to Shapiro, Pennsylvania ranks 49th in the U.S. in state investment in higher education, and 48th for affordability. He said he wants to change those numbers.
With a placard on the podium in front of him reading “Freedom to chart your own choice,” the governor delivered his new “blueprint for higher education,” focusing on competition and workforce development, as well as access and affordability.
“My plan builds a strong pipeline between our community colleges and our [Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education] universities and invests in the future of our students and our colleges,” Shapiro said.
The governor unveiled his plan in January, ahead of last month’s budget address. Under the initiative, state system universities and community colleges will unite under a new governance system, and Pennsylvanians making up to the median income will pay no more than $1,000 in tuition and fees per semester at those schools.
“We need to make sure that they have a low-cost, high-quality higher education at any one of our Pennsylvania colleges or universities,” he said.
Shapiro told lawmakers that his plan, if passed, would take Pennsylvania from 49th in the nation in higher education investment to 22nd place.
He also encouraged lawmakers from both sides of the aisle to give their input on his blueprint. “We put forth a thoughtful plan that we are now giving to lawmakers and others,” said Shapiro, “to allow them to help inform that plan so that we can get it done together.”
Republican lawmakers were cool to his plan, however. Pa. Rep. Seth Grove, chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, said the plan lacked key details, particularly on financing. He also claimed it would open families and businesses to significant future tax hikes, and that it funds institutions over students.