PITTSBURGH — The fallout continues after a Westmoreland County lawmaker attacked the state’s financial relationship with Pitt, Penn State and Temple. These major universities are now pushing back.
According to our partners at TribLIVE.com, state Rep. Eric Nelson, R-Hempfield, said he had “ethical” issues with the state spending about $580 million to support the three powerhouse research universities. Nelson said this money comes as the universities are also competing against the 14 state-owned universities along with a number of private colleges and universities.
Nelson wants to take the money away from the three major universities and direct it into a voucher program for students. He said by rerouting the money, more than 124,000 low- and middle-income students could benefit from financial aid.
Pitt defended the state money, saying such a plan would be disastrous for the thousands of state residents who enroll at the university. University officials said the money - nearly $155 million this year - was used for a $15,000-a-year discount on tuition.
Officials at Penn State and Temple had similar responses to Pitt’s, saying the money allows for a cheaper rate for Pennsylvania residents.
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