HARRISBURG, Pa. (KYW Newsradio) — Republicans in the Pennsylvania House blocked funding for the four “state-related” universities, saying if they want state funding, they should agree to more oversight.
House Republican leader Bryan Cutler says state funding for “state-related” universities — Temple University, University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania State University, and Lincoln University — should come with certain expectations.
“Why do we continue to fund these institutions that are not subject to the right to know law in exchange for state funding only to go on and raise tuition time and time again,” Cutler said.
State funding helps the universities charge a lower rate for instate students.
“The money currently going to the schools is, in fact, taxpayer dollars. And without simple safeguards, such as transparency, tuition freezes, and reforms,” Cutler said.
Separate funding bills for Temple and Pitt fell short of the required two-thirds majority. The House did not vote on Penn State’s funding. Funding for Lincoln easily passed 195-8, with Republican leadership pointing out the president of Lincoln promised a tuition freeze, while the presidents of Temple, Pitt and Penn State refused.
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“There's lots of reasons why you could be a no on this because of the exclusivity of the debate. What we're asking for is an opportunity to be involved in the process.”
Cutler says Democrats blocked debate on amendments to the funding bills in what he calls “parliamentary gimmicks.”
“In order to have a consensus, you have to have a debate, and we've been denied that opportunity thus far,” Cutler said.
Legislative leaders have filed motions to reconsider, meaning the bills could run again at a later date.
While Cutler was speaking for the majority of Republicans, other members of the caucus have expressed ongoing concerns over university health systems funding stem cell research on fetuses, and gender-affirming care for children under 18. University leaders say none of the state funds is used for those programs.
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