In a letter to Gov. Ed Rendell sent Friday, Rep. Kerry Benninghoff called on the governor and other legislators to release state funding to Penn State, which was supposed to have been approved more than five months ago.
"The holdup has nothing to do with a shortage of dollars in Harrisburg and everything to do with some people's political agendas," Benninghoff, R-Centre, said in a press release.
The "agendas" Benninghoff referred to are contentious regulations on gambling in the state. When the main spending bill of this year's budget was passed, an about $200 million hole was filled with revenue to be gained through the legalization of table games. Currently, only slot machines are legal in the state.
Rendell and other state legislators insist that the table games legislation must be passed before funding to Penn State and Pennsylvania's three other state-related schools -- University of Pittsburgh, Temple University and Lincoln University -- can be released.
On the other side of the aisle, Scott Conklin, D-Centre, has also sent a similar letter to House Appropriations Committee Chairman Rep. Dwight Evans, D-Philadelphia.
"We do not believe that the universities should be held hostage as a leveraging tool during the table games discussion period," Tor Michaels, chief of staff for Conklin, said.
While the letter was addressed to Rendell, copies were sent to the Republican and Democratic leaders of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees, including Sen. Jake Corman, R-Centre. Corman said the university funding has already passed in the Republican-controlled Senate and directed blame at the Democratic opposition, saying the decision is "totally in control of the House Democrat leadership and the governor."
In Benninghoff's letter, he argued the expected $200 million in table gaming revenue is not essential to approving state-related university funds, which total almost $800 million. Benninghoff couldn't be reached for comment as of press time.
"Those who argue you can't have higher education funding without table games would have you believe that they can fill an $800 million hole with a $200 million cork," Benninghoff said in the press release. Penn State is set to receive more than $300 million in state funding.
Conklin echoed Benninghoff's argument that the table games are not necessary, saying a surplus built into the state's budget would cover the difference.
And while Penn State awaits its state funding, University Park Undergraduate Association President Gavin Keirans said, it will have to use funding from other sources.
"Money that would normally earn interest is currently used to front the cost," Keirans said. "We understand that the state has its battles, but it is not really helping out the people it is supposed to."
And while legislators are still unwilling to predict an end to this year's budget mess, the debate on next year's budget isn't far on the horizon. Corman said some of the preliminary work is expected to begin in the next two weeks.
Rendell's press secretary could not be reached by press time.
