The tremors that have shaken the foundations of this nation’s economy over the past few years can still be felt. State and local governments continue to face tightening budgets.
In Pennsylvania, funding to educational institutions is often among the first to be cut when the government needs to save money. But legislators do their constituents a disservice when they sacrifice educational spending so readily.
The spending cuts to Penn’s School of Veterinary Medicine over the past few years have been especially disappointing. Appropriations for the school, which depends on state funds for a significant portion of its revenues, have decreased approximately 30 percent over the past two years — including a $13 million cut last December. Since the summer of 2008, the school has had to reduce its staff by more than 150 members.
The economy is still reeling from the recession and new state leadership is likely to cut education appropriations further. But the Vet School is the only school of its kind in Pennsylvania, and it conducts very important research. By studying animal diseases, scientists can learn much about human health. State legislators should ensure the school receives enough resources to continue doing its necessary work.
