Neither of these increases addresses the ongoing problem of inequitable education funding between school districts. The state would continue to provide about 35 percent of overall education spending. There is no funding to reduce class size, nor is money requested for a voucher program. Under the governor s proposal, Penn State, Pitt, Temple and Lincoln would receive a 2.5 percent increase in state funding. The State System of Higher Education would receive a 3 percent increase.
All state universities are likely to require tuition increases.
In 1998-99, Pennsylvania ranked 47th in appropriations for higher education. In 1997-98, average annual tuition and fees at Pennsylvania s public colleges ranked 3rd highest in the nation. Democrats have called for larger property tax cuts which would continue in future years. The Capital Stock and Franchise Tax would be lowered by 18 percent, with a goal of phasing it out over the next 10 years. The prison system will remain overcrowded, operating at 145 percent of capacity or 12,035 inmates in excess of capacity.