Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell recommended today that Penn State receive $347.4 million in state funds for the 2007-2008 school year - a 1.6 percent increase from last year's appropriation of $341.9 million.

Despite the increase, local legislators said they hope to increase that amount. "Well, I'm disappointed in the recommendation," Jake Corman, R-Bellefonte, said. "The governor only has a certain amount to give to Penn State. I won't say for sure that we won't get it higher, but it's going to be difficult."

After hearing Rendell's budget address today, Scott Conklin, D-Centre, said he is already trying for a Feb. 13 slot to testify to increase the amount.

Most line items received anywhere from 1.3 to 3.2 percent increases, Bill Mahon, Penn State spokesman, said.

Mahon said that no cuts were made on any line budget items, but agriculture research and extension, and Penn College received no increases from last year. "Ag cuts we have seen in the past," Kerry Benninghoff, R-Bellefonte, said.

"[Rendell] knows how important that is on a local level and that it becomes a horse trade, no pun intended, trying to get what he needs and what we need."

Check tomorrow's edition of The Daily Collegian for the full story.