Penn State will receive its largest appropriation increase in a decade, according to details of a budget plan for the 1999-2000 fiscal year. The budget has been approved by the state House and Senate and it is anticipated that Gov. Tom Ridge will sign it within the next 10 days.
Details of the plan include an approximate 3 percent increase in the University's base appropriation plus an additional $4.4 million appropriation for agricultural extension, workforce development and technology transfer.
This will result in a 4.4 percent increase in the University's operating budget, or $13.2 million, over the current year's state appropriation of $299.1 million. In addition, the University received $1.8 million for a capital construction improvement at Penn State Harrisburg. Penn State receives less than 20 percent of its budget from the state.
"Penn State is grateful to the House and Senate -- and to Governor Ridge -- for letting us tell our story about the important impact the University has on the Commonwealth and for understanding our case," said President Graham B. Spanier.
"The University is the only institution that is working in virtually every corner of the state to create jobs, save businesses and industry, assist the agricultural industry, and prepare Pennsylvania to be economically competitive in the new millennium. This state appropriation is a good investment in the future of the Commonwealth and it is one we will use wisely and responsibly," Spanier said.
The Legislature also approved additional funds for the Department of Education for use as technology grants to higher education.
Spanier said Penn State is "uniquely positioned to compete for those funds" because of the planned new School of Information Sciences and Technology.