Two weeks after state representatives grilled Penn State President Graham Spanier about the university's use of taxpayer money and a pair of sexually provocative student events, a state lawmaker has his eye on putting state-related universities on a shorter leash.

State Rep. Mike Veon, D-Beaver, plans to introduce legislation to appoint four state legislators who would sit on the boards of trustees at the University of Pittsburgh, Temple University and Penn State, according to a release Friday.

The legislators — a Republican and Democrat from the House and Senate — would be charged with furnishing "greater oversight" to the way yearly state appropriations are spent.

"We already have a system that helps us determine how much each school receives," Veon said in the release. "What we need is a safeguard to ensure the money directed to these universities is used in a manner that maximizes benefits to students and the public. It's a simple matter of accountability."

Veon, the House Democratic Whip, could not be reached yesterday for further comment.

The lawmaker's release makes no mention of the fiery debate over Penn State's Sex Faire and Cuntfest fueled by complaints from Rep. John Lawless, D-Montgomery. However, the announcement arrives close on the heels of appearances by university administrators before the Senate and House Appropriation Committees earlier this month.

Penn State spokesman Bill Mahon said the university has not yet decided to support or oppose the legislation.

He pointed out that certain government officials already have a place on Penn State's Board of Trustees by virtue of their position.

They consist of the state secretaries of education, agriculture, and conservation and natural resources and the state governor, who typically sends a non-voting representative in his place.

The governor also appoints six other trustees, including a student member.

Legislators are not currently required to be on Penn State's board, but the three other nominating groups — industrial societies, agricultural societies and alumni — sometimes select current or former state lawmakers to be trustees, Mahon said.

The trustees' next scheduled meeting is Friday at the Hershey Medical Center.