I’d like to talk a little bit today about Gov. Shapiro’s forthcoming budget, which he will unveil next Tuesday, Feb. 6. To do that, we should first look back at last year’s budget, which he proposed several weeks after taking office last January, and was finally signed into law in August.
Shapiro’s first budget, notably, doubled funding for universal free school breakfasts — an increase of $46.5 million. It also included a $50 million increase for special education funding and a $23.5 million investment in workforce training and vocational tech programs in an effort to allow students to learn different vocational skills.
In last year’s budget address, Shapiro tipped his hand regarding future priorities when he said it was time “to rethink our system of higher education – because what we’re doing isn’t working.” He was referring to the fact that Pennsylvania is ranked at the bottom among states in the level of higher education aid, size of student debt, and affordability of its colleges. Pennsylvania ranks 48th in higher education affordability and spends less per capita on higher education aid than any other state except New Hampshire.
This year’s state government spending of $2 billion on higher education is the same as it was 15 years ago.
So it was no surprise when his administration said last week that Shapiro’s new budget will include plans to overhaul the higher education system in Pennsylvania by lowering tuition at state-owned universities, streamlining degree programs and funding institutions based, at least in part, on performance metrics. It also would mean more grant money, including for students who attend private universities in Pennsylvania.
In his budget, Shapiro will propose “significant” aid for state-owned universities, community colleges and their students, the administration said. In addition, Shapiro will seek to raise grants by $1,000 — up from the maximum award of $5,750 — for Pennsylvania students who attend college in the state.
There will be much more to Shapiro’s budget. But clearly, overhauling Pennsylvania’s higher ed system is a priority.
