State cuts half of Arboretum funds

The Morris Arboretum has lost more than half its state appropriation to make up for state money lost by decreasing certain taxes. The Arboretum, which is managed by the University, will only receive $150,000 this year -- $250,000 shy of the original allotment and one-eighth of the Aboretum's $2 million annual budget. "I would consider [the cuts] critical," Aboretum director Paul Meyer said last night. "I hope it's not fait accompli." Meyer added while the lost money would cause the Arboretum to cut programming, it would still be able to operate. But Meyer added the cuts would drastically reduce the quality of the Arboretum, which is considered one of the best in the nation. Meyer said the Arboretum may lobby in Harrisburg to have the funding restored. But Executive Vice President Marna Whittington acknowledged last night that the University may have to find ways to cope without the money. "We have already built our budget around it [the state funding] and it's late in the year," Whittington said. "We'll have to figure out how to work it." The Arboretum is one of ten groups to lose state funding after Governor Robert Casey signed a bill exempting banks from a tax on computer services such as wire transfers. Last month, Casey requested legislation to repeal sales tax on services he said placed unintended burdens on individuals and firms in Pennsylvania. But the legislation he signed contained the series of banking exemptions, which were added by the Senate. While Casey opposed the amendments, he could not veto them without vetoing the entire legislation. The amendment created a $3.6 million shortfall in the state budget. Sue Grimm, a spokesperson for the governor, defended the legislation even though ten organizations lost state money. "They were annoying taxes and they were never intended [by the governor]," Grimm said. Grimm added that Casey will veto any further tax repeals since they are irresponsible and would otherwise force the state into a deficit. The state's current financial atmosphere is cautious because the state wants to ensure its budget is balanced at the end of the year -- a requirement under the state constitution.

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