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Temple's $175M approved by Pa. House of Representatives

Wed, 08/19/2009 - 11:19 — Prima Facie

Temple's annual Commonwealth funding was unanimously approved today by the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, in spite of Rep. John Taylor's earlier opposition, according to a Temple University announcement.

Taylor had previously said he wanted to withhold all of Temple's funds -- $175 million dollars -- because he disagreed with the university's recent decision to convert a university-run hospital to an ambulatory care center.

Temple announced the latest vote in an e-mail from Temple's Ken Lawrence Jr., Senior Vice President for Government, Community and Public Affairs. Lawrence provides twitter updates on the topic at http://twitter.com/TUGovtAffairs.

A final state budget has not yet been completed, so Temple's funding is not yet guaranteed for the coming year. Temple University has posted a petition to support Temple's funding, which the public can sign, at: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/3/join-the-fight-for-the-cherry-and-the-w....

The university has created a web page to track public policy issues like the funding debate, at: http://www.temple.edu/newsroom/TUGovtAffairs/index.htm, according to Lawrence.

The e-mail to the Temple University community, announcing today's vote follows:

To: Temple University Community
From: Ken Lawrence Jr., Senior Vice President for Government, Community and Public Affairs
Subject: Commonwealth Appropriation Update
Date: August 19, 2009

Dear Temple Community,

I wanted to update you on progress today regarding the Commonwealth appropriation for Temple University.

This morning, Temple’s Commonwealth appropriation was unanimously approved on second reading in the state House of Representatives. Your calls and e-mails were a major factor in today’s action. Thank you for your enthusiastic efforts on behalf of Temple University's students.

As you may know, a final state budget for the current fiscal year has not been completed. Critical votes in the House and Senate will take place before the Commonwealth appropriation for Temple University is passed with the final budget.

I urge you to sign the Fight for the Cherry and White petition, which will stay online until the state budget is passed. More than 5,000 alumni, students, parents and friends have signed the petition. Please show your support for Temple University's students by signing the petition and spreading the word to your friends and family.

We have created the Temple Public Policy Updates page at Temple’s Online Newsroom as a way for you to view the latest information on public policy issues affecting Temple University at the state, local and federal levels of government. You also can receive instant updates on legislative issues via Twitter @TUGovtAffairs.

Thank you again for your support, and please stay involved as we continue to advocate for Temple University and our students.