Penn State might have a shot at receiving federal stimulus funding after the U.S. Department of Education forced the governor to resubmit his application for stimulus funds, which originally left out the four state-related universities.
"The governor cannot make up new rules," said Rep. Glenn Thompson, R-Pa.
"The intent of that part of the stimulus was for public institutions, and clearly Penn State fits in that category."
Last Friday, U.S Representatives Thompson and Tim Holden, D-Pa., sent a letter signed by 14 of 19 members of the Pennsylvania Congressional Delegation to U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, asking the department to reconsider Pennsylvania's application for federal stimulus funds.
Thompson said four days later, he received a call from the U.S. Department of Education, which said Rendell had to resubmit his application.
But this time, Thompson said, the governoer would need to include the four state-related universities.
Rendell excluded the four state-related universities from the list of beneficiaries because he said the money should go to schools directly under control by the state.
Rendell's spokesman Barry Ciccocioppo said even though the four state-related institutions will be included in the new application for stimulus funds, the governor still has the ability to choose how the funds are allocated.
"They'll be included in the application when it's resubmitted," Ciccocioppo said.
"We remain committed to using those funds to where they can have the most impact."
Ciccocioppo added that since the governor took office, he has increased funding for higher education by $200 million and he plans to move in that direction.
Penn State spokesman Geoff Rushton said the university is pleased with the legislators who signed the letter.
"The announcement is a positive development and brings hope for our students and families," the university spokesman said.
"But we need more information to better inform a decision on tuition."
State-related schools the University of Pittsburgh, Temple University, Penn State and Lincoln University will now be included in the application for federal stimulus funds when the governor resubmits his application.
Thompson said he is hopeful that the four state-related universities will be able to receive funding that they were once denied.
"This will be helpful in reigning down high tuition increases and help keep people in jobs as well," Thompson said.
