| LETTER TO THE EDITOR | FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | ||
| State Rep. Mike Hanna |
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| April 7, 2011 |
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Dear Editor:
I want to take this opportunity to thank the hundreds of students from all 14 of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education universities who traveled to the state Capitol in Harrisburg last week to speak up and let Gov. Tom Corbett know that his proposed 50 percent cut to higher education funding – the largest cut to public higher education in U.S. history – is unacceptable.
I especially want to thank the more than 250 students from Lock Haven University, many of whom I have gotten the opportunity to meet and speak with these in past few weeks as we have rallied against these cuts. I want to commend the cross country and track and field team members, other students and professors – who made what is perhaps the boldest and most memorable statement to Gov. Corbett by running all the way to Harrisburg from Lock Haven – the "One Hundred to Stay Funded" Run. Your dedication to this fight is inspiring.
By sending emails, making calls, organizing rallies and speaking up, you are all sending a very powerful message to Gov. Corbett that it is not acceptable to put all the burden of this budget on the backs of working, middle-class families and college students. And you are not alone. I will continue to stand alongside you all the way and fight for funding for Pennsylvania's colleges and universities.
While it is true that we are facing a multi-billion-dollar deficit in the state budget this year, funding for higher education is not the place to cut back. Pennsylvania does not have a future without basic and higher education. Education is the foundation that builds a better Pennsylvania, and we have to find a better way to balance the budget.
This demonstrates a shocking misplacement of priorities on the part of Gov. Corbett. At the same time he is proposing these catastrophic cuts to higher education, he is also proposing a $31.1 million increase in funding for the state Department of Corrections, the Pennsylvania State Police and the Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole. Why are we prioritizing incarceration over education in Pennsylvania?
The State System of Higher Education is an asset of the taxpayers and the residents of this Commonwealth – and it is the most affordable option for four-year higher education in Pennsylvania. Combined, the state-owned universities generate nearly $4.5 billion in total economic impact to the Commonwealth and support more than 51,000 jobs, directly and indirectly.
I encourage all students to spread the word and continue sending messages to Gov. Corbett and legislative leaders. Tell them to make higher education, not big corporate tax breaks, a priority. I also invite you to visit these Facebook and Twitter pages for more information and to make your voice heard.
- State Rep. Mike Hanna
Rep. Hanna represents the 76th Legislative District in Clinton and Centre counties and serves as Democratic whip. He can be reached at his main constituent service office, 29 Bellefonte Ave., Lock Haven by calling (570) 748-5480.