At a time when universities and students are hurting and in need of aid, Gov. Robert P. Casey's budget plans to give Pennsylvania higher education less funding.

Casey's proposed cuts in education would leave the University with about $9 million less than last year, proving once again that higher education is not a priority in this state. This is the second year in a row Casey has targeted higher education funding.

The budget includes a proposed 3.5 percent cut in state aid for higher education, which represents about $118 million out of $603 million in total cuts.

Since Casey is unwilling to give education the funding it deserves, the state legislature must now reject the budget and increase appropriations for education. Legislators should keep their priorities focused on education, and not follow Casey's disappointing lead.

Otherwise, students will once again make up the difference with another tuition increase, making a Penn State education even tougher to afford.

And the University will not have the funds to upgrade Pattee, build a new Paul Robeson Cultural Center or improve student health services.

Students and administrators need to let legislators know how much the cuts will hurt. Everyone in the University should speak up for the importance of education, since no one else seems willing.

The cuts are part of Casey's larger attempt to reduce the budget during the recession, but such a large percentage of the cuts should not come from higher education.

Casey's cuts are a short-term solution to a long-term problem. Hopefully legislators will not let him sacrifice higher education to balance the budget.