Pennsylvania House Democrats Block Funding For Temple, State-related Universities
HARRISBURG, Pa. (CBS) -- Democrats in the state House have, for now, blocked bills that would approve funding for Temple, Lincoln and other state-related universities as the battle over the state budget continues.
Last month, Democratic Governor Tom Wolf partially vetoed a Republican budget bill. On Monday, House Democrats like Minority Leader Frank Dermody of Allegheny County said funding for state-related schools including Temple, Lincoln, Pitt and Penn State should wait until the rest of the budget is complete.
"Wait 'till we have a real budget that has real revenues that allows us to take care of all our appropriations," Dermody said.
Republican Dave Reed, the House majority leader, said the move accomplishes only one thing.
"It delays payments going to our students who already halfway through the school year," he said.
Republicans could not pass funding for state-related universities on their own because a two-thirds House vote for those appropriations is needed.