Pennsylvania Gov. Mark Schweiker announced last week that he had decided to allot only $318 million to Penn State for the 2002-03 academic year -- about $17 million less than this year's appropriation.

If approved, Schweiker's budget will mark the first time in almost a decade that an appropriation has decreased from the year before -- a low moment in for those who value education in this state.

Thankfully, it seems that those who do mark it a low moment include some of our state representatives, who are finally standing up for the families and students who know the value of Penn State and other state schools and the education that they provide.

The cut in funding was both unexpected by the university, and, as some state representatives have said, inexcusable. Rep. Kerry Benninghoff, R-Centre and Mifflin, plans to ask the appropriations committee to cut back the state government's funding before make cuts to other programs -- like education.

Looking out for the interests of those in their districts, even if many of those people are students, should be an important goal and priority for state legislators.

While Schweiker's budget does pay more attention to elementary education, he, and other lawmakers must realize the importance of affordable state schools for those pursuing higher learning as well.

Rep. Lynn Herman, R-Centre and Clearfield is also taking steps for the university students of Pennsylvania.

He is trying to pass a fifth-year addition to the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency grant program to help the many students who are forced to spend a fifth year in college afford the extension. With only 30% of college students finishing school in four years, this legislation will mean a lot to those families who must shell out for another year of school. Other legislators need to follow the leads of these representatives. Working to insure that those who will make up the future workforce of Pennsylvania will be well-educated and will be able to afford that education in the first place is key for the welfare of the state.

Students and their families should also watch carefully during the coming appropriations hearings.

As we see who stands up for students, their schools and their education we should all take note and reflect on these lawmakers' decisions when the next election season comes around. Those with more concern for their own paychecks than for the welfare of this state and its students should feel a little of the panic that parents and students already do when they think about being able to afford good schools.