For more than two months, Penn State administrators have waited for the state-related university allocations -- and Wednesday night was no different.
The Pennsylvania House of Representatives failed to vote through the state funding for state-related schools during its session by a vote of 95-97. Penn State, along with the University of Pittsburgh, Temple University and Lincoln University, is still waiting to receive funding.
Penn State is expected to collect $333.8 million from the state, which makes up about 12 percent of the university's $3.7 billion 2009-2010 budget.
Rep. Kerry Benninghoff, R-Centre, said he was "very frustrated" with the process, saying he cast a vote in favor of releasing the funds.
"It's an abomination that the floor majority leader thinks gambling should be a priority over allocations to state-related universities," Benninghoff said.
After the release of university allocations was voted down, table games were the focus of the House's discussion. With just 20 minutes left in the session, Rep. Kate Harper, R-Montgomery, entered a motion to postpone table game discussion and return to state-related university allocations. Matt Gabler, R-Clearfield/Elk, said there were a lot of college students relying on the funds and supported the motion, which eventually failed.
"A promise has been made to college students around this commonwealth," Gabler said. "Tying these two motions together is not the people's business."
Gov. Ed Rendell and other legislators said granting the state-related appropriations without legalizing table games is not only fiscally irresponsible but also unconstitutional. They argue the state wouldn't have a balanced budget without table game revenue.
Legislators stopped talks on the table game bill at 11 p.m., the deadline for House sessions.
Tor Michaels, chief of staff for Rep. Scott Conklin, D-Centre, said Conklin voted in favor of releasing the appropriations to the schools, and will continue to fight for Penn State students when the discussion continues today.
"Clearly we came out early and stated our universities should not be held hostage while this table game discussion moves forward," Michaels said.
Sen. Jake Corman, R-Centre, said the Senate voted to release the funds two months ago and he doesn't know why the House is taking so long.
"The House Democratic caucus is kind of dysfunctional right now," Corman said. "They can't seem to get enough votes to do anything yet."
Jessica Pelliciotta, president of the Penn State College Democrats, said the Democrats have been putting in extra hours to try to resolve the issue.
But by failing to release the funds, Benninghoff said the possibility of tuition and other school-related fees goes up.
"It opens the door to an increase in costs for students, but it doesn't have to be this way," he said. "The money is there."
There was no rise in costs when students received their spring tuition bill in November.
As far as tuition costs go, Pelliciotta said she's concerned, but no more than usual. She said her organization will do everything in its power to try and create other options to avoid a spike in education costs.
"The College Democrats ... are going to be working with the [Pennsylvania] Tuition Coalition to come up with ideas to see that Penn State and the other schools do get the funding," she said.
University Park Undergraduate Association President Gavin Keirans said he's also concerned Penn State will increase tuition to make up for missing funds, especially with the spring semester right around the corner. He also said it's disheartening to know Penn State isn't getting the money it was allotted.
He's particularly concerned about the university's allocations in the future and doesn't want the same problem to happen again.
"We hope that this is a one-time hiccup that our legislature will not repeat in the future," he said.
University spokespeople did not return calls for comment by press time Wednesday.
