Gearing up for what may be his fifth term in the state House, Rep. Lynn Herman, R-Philipsburg, has formally announced his re-election campaign for the 77th district seat.

Herman, the Republican chairman of the Subcommittee on Higher Education, said more funding for education is one of his main concerns.

"One of my top priorities is to push for increased state support for higher education, increased appropriations for Penn State and financial assistance for (the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency)," Herman said.

Herman recently introduced a bill which would provide financial assistance to undergraduates for five years rather than the current four-year limit.

Generally, students are taking longer than four years to complete their degrees, he said, explaining that students may be in five-year programs, have changed majors or schools, or attend classes part time. Herman said he worked with the Penn State Veterans Organization in creating the bill.

"Under current law, your financial aid from PHEAA is limited to four academic years. (The bill) essentially provides one more year of financial assistance," Herman said. The bill passed the House Education Committee and is now in the Appropriations Committee, he added.

State College Borough Councilwoman Jean McManis announced Jan. 24 she is running against Herman for the seat.

"I have entered the campaign for the 77th district seat with a move for increased awareness of the region," McManis said earlier. "We need representation in Harrisburg that rises above responsiveness and gets recognition as leadership."

McManis could not be reached for comment yesterday.

The 77th district includes State College, Ferguson, Halfmoon, Huston, Rush, Taylor and Worth townships, Philipsburg, Port Matilda, Chester Hill and Osceola.

Herman said another pressing problem is gaining funding for gypsy moth spraying, since this spring the state is expected to be hit with widespread infestation, Herman said.

In January, the Senate passed legislation which would add $2 million to the state's gypsy moth program, but Herman is sponsoring a bill which would allocate $8.8 million to restore the funds lost in the state budget.

The bill is still in committee, Herman said.

"We need to get that bill out of committee and get some funding before a catastrophic devastation of our forest lands and trees on private property occurs," he said.

Herman said his experience in the House benefits the region, particularly in education.

"My increased seniority in the House of Representatives has earned me the position of Republican chairman of the Subcommittee on Higher Education, where I have a direct voice for the higher education community in general and Penn State in particular," he said.

Merle McCalips Jr., chairman of Centre County Democratic Committee, said Herman's high visibility in the area will be difficult to beat, but the region needs more aggressive representation.

"He's been very visible but I've always questioned his effectiveness as a legislator," McCalips said. "I'm strongly hoping Mrs. McManis gives him a strong run . . . Lynn in his four terms has not been overly aggressive. We need a strong advocate."

"He'll be very difficult to beat. He's a popular incumbent," he said.

In addition to education and gypsy moth funding, Herman said he also supports increased funding for domestic violence and rape crisis services.

The farmers in the area and the University's research also need more funding for agricultural and biotechnology research, which were cut under Gov. Robert P. Casey's proposed budget, he said.

Herman was elected to the seat in 1982 and has served on the House Education Committee and the Professional Licensure Committee. He also serves on the Republican Policy Committee.

Before his election, he worked for the state Department of Education.