USG candidates promise to lobby Harrisburg for money

By JON FEINBERG
Collegian Staff Writer

As far as lobbying is concerned, the campaign for Undergraduate Student Government president and vice president could not have come at a better time.

Gov. Tom Ridge's proposed budget -- which gives the University $23 million less than it asked for -- and the scent of cuts in student grants that lingers around Washington, D.C., are just two issues that have provoked the candidates to tout their skills of schmoozing with legislators.

The candidates are Josh Bokee, USG Senate president, with running mate Kerith Strano, secretary general of the Penn State Model United Nations Conference 1995; and Corey O'Brien, USG Supreme Court Chief Justice, and running mate Kara Annechini, former president of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority, 10 Wolf.

And current USG officials think that each candidate's ability to lobby could define the administration next year.

"Clearly the state appropriation is the most important government issue that affects Penn State," said Mike King, USG president. "We're going to need to see a continued commitment to lobbying the state government."

Limited state appropriations could mean that less money will go to salary increases and the enhancement of academic programs as the University had planned.

Bokee said his seat on the President's Planning Budgetary Advisory Committee has given him experience in lobbying. Knowing the pressures of how tight the University's budget is has taught him how important it is to lobby for funding, he said.

As for O'Brien's lobbying experience, O'Brien said he was responsible for raising $600,000 in funding from the federal government for the Dunmore Community Center near his home.

"I love lobbying and I love the issue and it's something I'm passionate about," he said.

Bokee said if he was elected he would work with University administrators and their professional lobbyist, David Schuckers, in an effort to get more funding.

"They're the ones who have the experience," he said.

In working with state politicians, Bokee said he would strive to change their priorities.

"I've always found Pennsylvania state politics bizarre as far as the lack of priority for education," he said. As USG president, he said it would be important to increase state politicians' awareness of education in general.

In addition, Bokee said his administration would work with students at Commonwealth Campuses to gain legislative contacts throughout the state.

"Legislators aren't just here in University Park," he said.

If elected, O'Brien said he has extensive plans to go further than the average letter-writing campaign.

"Letter writing and phone calls do not get money," he said. "The way you get money is going there with support."

When it comes to lobbying against possible cuts in student grants, O'Brien said he will start in state before going to the federal government.

"When you're dealing with the federal government . . . you need your Pennsylvania delegates to help you," he said. "I'm very well established with them."

In campaigning for increased state appropriations, O'Brien said he will make repeated trips to Harrisburg.

"Governor Ridge will get sick of seeing me," he said.