The college's agriculture research and cooperative extension programs are unique to the college and are funded through individual lines in the Penn State non-preferred appropriations bill.
Funding over the past 8 years in these lines has increased an average of approximately only one percent per year, while the state budget has gone up more than 36 percent in the same time frame and basic education almost 50 percent.
The state relied on federal stimulus funds (ARRA) for 2010/2011 to keep Penn State at flat funding at 2008/2009 levels. Stimulus funds, which make up 6 percent of the college's state base funding, expire in June 2011. If these funds are not restored in the college's 2011/2012 appropriation, this, combined with increased operating costs, will result in the college facing a two year programmatic budget shortfall of almost $11 million.
The college continues to take aggressive measures to implement cost-saving strategies as well as to secure adequate funding. The number of layoffs and program cutbacks necessary to address the budget realities will not be known until the legislature passes the 2011/2012 budget.
Please take the time to communicate to the Governor and legislators the importance of these programs to Pennsylvania and request continued funding.
Please take the time to communicate to the Governor and legislators the importance of these programs to Pennsylvania and request continued funding.
