Fumo helps U. to obtain state funds

When the University needs money from the state of Pennsylvania, all roads lead to Fumo. Senator Vincent Fumo (D–Phila.) is arguably the University's most powerful asset in Harrisburg when it comes to state finances. Fumo, chairperson of the State Senate Appropriations Committee, has worked closely with officials at the University to help secure it a place in the state's budget. On Tuesday, Gov. Robert Casey slated a total of $35 million for the University in his budget proposal for fiscal year 1995, which will start in July. And many attribute Casey's decision to include the University to Fumo's lobbying efforts. "The senator has always lobbied on behalf of higher education," said Eric Weinberg, a consultant to the Senate's appropriations committee who works "at the discretion" of Fumo. "Senator Fumo has been the main actor in making sure a good portion of state money goes to higher education in the area," Weinberg said. "And obviously Senator Fumo has a lot of power in this area." Weinberg said the University, like other schools in Pennsylvania, benefit from Fumo's influence and support of higher education. "I don't think Penn has much to worry about as long as Senator Fumo is around," Weinberg said. But the University has not always been as fortunate as it was this year. In Casey's last two budgets, the governor completely neglected the University in his spending proposals. The loss of expected funds precipitated budget-stretching at the University and has seriously called into question the viability of the University's Veterinary School. Interim President Claire Fagin said she has tried to meet with many of the senators and assemblymen who sit in districts in and around the city. And last spring, the University's lobbying efforts with state lawmakers were successful when the state legislature approved more than $50 million in retroactive funding for the University. Those funds were designed to compensate for the University's exclusion from the budget for the last two fiscal years. "At least this time we don't have to fight for the money," Fagin said. Acting Executive Director for Budget Benjamin Hoyle said the Vet School looks to state funding for approximately 40 percent of its total operating budget. The Vet School receives under $13 million in state funds for the current fiscal year -- an amount which is less than what the school received for the 1992 fiscal year. Hoyle said the University had to compensate for the lost funding with loans to the Vet School, resulting in the University's current $2 million deficit. "And it's safe to say there will probably be some level of a loan [to the Vet School] next year," he added. Hoyle also said the increase in state funds in Casey's proposal for fiscal year 1995 will help reduce the Vet School's financial strain on the rest of the University. "We're still working through this situation," he said. Historically, the Commonwealth's largest appropriation goes to fund "general instruction" at the University. Casey's proposal this year budgets $15.5 million for the fund. Executive Vice President Janet Hale said those dollars are put into the provost's subvention fund. Money from the subvention fund is generally allocated by the provost to help finance undergraduate programs at the University, Hoyle said. "Those funds tends to be divided up pragmatically and into areas of priority," he said. Fagin said she was pleased with the contents of Casey's budget proposal this year. "It was a commitment that was made to us," Fagin said. "It is very rewarding to know there are people who are so supportive."