Lt. Gov. Mark Singel said he is hopeful the state government will be able to reallocate funds for higher education despite dramatic cuts in Gov. Robert P. Casey's budget.

Singel spoke at a seminar on natural resources issues at the Agricultural Sciences and Industries Building yesterday. He called Casey's budget 'tightfisted,' and 'bare bones,' but said the administration vows not to abandon higher education.

"I am hopeful the legislature will re-prioritize higher education -- it is too valuable an investment," Singel said.

As a candidate for the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate, Singel spoke about his debate Monday night in Pittsburgh with the other candidates in the Democratic primary. He said he was the only one to put forth specific ideas on the issues.

"It was clear no one else had insight on the issues," he said.

Singel also said he has the most rational policies and would be the most logical candidate to take on the Republicans.

In addition to the Democratic debate, Singel spoke about the altercation at the Republican primary debate in Altoona Monday night. He said the debate was an interesting dispute between two different people and only helped his own party.

"All in all, the victors were the Democrats," he said.

At the seminar, Singel told the audience about the important part effective energy and environment policies play in the economy.

"I am more convinced our energy and environment policies are directly tied to our economic vitality," Singel said.

Singel said more efficient uses of energy can provide jobs, a higher standard of living, and a boost to the economy. But he said the federal government must meet a higher standard of competency on energy and the economy.

"The federal government is still captive and caught up in its own inertia," he said.

Al Sullivan, director of the School of Forest Resources and the seminar's moderator, said it was good to see Singel go around the state and discuss natural resources issues with interested groups.

"We invited him here to inform us and bring these issues to attention," Sullivan said.

The College Democrats also sponsored a Singel speech last night at the HUB Fishbowl.