Despite continuing negotiations over the state budget, Rep. Scott Conklin, D-Centre, made a last minute push for an increase in funds for the university.
Conklin sent a request to state Reps. Keith McCall, D-Carbon; John Evans, D-Crawford and Erie; and H. William DeWeese, D- Greene, asking them to be sensitive to the fact Penn State should get an increase to help save agriculture jobs as of press time yesterday, said Tor Michaels, chief of staff for Conklin.
"They have acknowledged Sen. Conklin's request, and he is still pushing for Penn State funding to be raised," Michaels said. "It's a positive sign that the legislators are aware of the push."
Every year representatives go to Harrisburg to lobby for an increase in appropriations, especially for the agriculture department, Penn State spokeswoman Lisa Powers said.
In response to Conklin's efforts, Powers said Penn State is grateful for any help.
"Penn State is a land grant university, and part of our mission is to help the people of Pennsylvania," she said.
There isn't a bottom line yet, but negotiations should end late Wednesday night or early this morning, said Chuck Ardo, Gov. Ed Rendell's press secretary.
As of press time yesterday, the overall offer on the table was still at a $2.6 million increase, Michaels said.
Penn State received $327.715 million in state appropriations in the 2006-2007 fiscal year and $334.23 million for 2007-2008, according to the University Budget Office's Web site, budget.psu.edu. Those amounts do not include funding for The Milton S. Hershey Medical Center.
