On Tuesday, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett presented his 2012-13 budget to the General Assembly.
The governor unveiled his $27.1 billion spending proposal, and public colleges and universities could see big cutbacks next year. And college students could receive less financial aid.
Corbett seeks to cut $330 million, or 20 percent, from 14 state-owned universities. Some lawmakers said they feel the governor must make cuts in other areas, in order to not do any tax increases.
"I think this is not the time to increase taxes on our citizens. So, I think our main priority at this time is to try to do what we can legislatively to increase or improve the job market in Pennsylvania, do what we can to create jobs, support economic development and that's the area where I'd like to focus my efforts," said State Rep. Dick Stevenson, R-Mercer and Butler counties.
Corbett also would institute hundreds of millions of dollars in cost-saving measures to offset a rising tab for services for the poor, elderly and disabled.
Public hearings on the spending plan begin on Feb. 21.
