Budget Alert - May 29

The budget bill, SB 1466, keeps moving. The final version could be voted on the second week in June. This is a critical time for contacting legislators.

PASSHE Advocacy

The PASSHE universities serve a unique role in the Commonwealth. Over 600,000 alumni and almost 120,000 current students have benefited from access to a quality education at the most affordable cost of all higher education institutions. It is important that we protect this legacy by serving as advocates; that we contact opinion leaders -- none more important than the members of the General Assembly – to let them know that their support of the system matters.

How You Can Help

Within next few weeks, the Pennsylvania General Assembly will adopt a budget for the 2012/13 fiscal year. Funding for PASSHE is part of that budget. We are competing with dozens of other programs and agencies for a limited amount of money. It is important that legislators hear from PASSHE supporters to assure that we are a priority.

Last year, in his initial budget, the Governor recommended a fifty percent funding cut for PASSHE. As a result of outreach by our students, their families, alumni and friends, the final budget contained an 18 percent cut or the restoration of almost $175 million dollars. That would not have happened without your help. Current and future students of PASSHE universities need the support of concerned alumni, friends and parents.

Please help us contact the state legislators to let them know how PASSHE positively impacts students, the university communities and the state.

Contributing Photographer: Michael Thornhill