(The Center Square) — Gov. Josh Shapiro’s proposal to shake up Pennsylvania’s higher education system has legislative Republicans intrigued — but not yet on board.
“List me as sympathetic but cautious,” said Sen. Dave Argall, R-Mahanoy City and chair of the Senate Education Committee. “It’s still in its very early stages.”
Shapiro’s blueprint would combine the community college and PASSHE systems, increase PHEAA grants for all students by $1,000, set a $1,000 per semester limit on tuition and fees for students in the unified system, and develop a performance-based funding model for state-owned and state-related universities.
The plan would also come with a $279 million increase in funding to offset student costs.
Though the public has an outline, they and legislators alike are waiting for more information.
“In terms of combining the community college and the state system, I’m not against it and I’m not for it because I need to see how it’d work,” said Rep. Jesse Topper, R-Bedford and Republican chair of the House Education Committee. “But I admire – the No. 1 thing I’m pleased about is that the governor sees the need for transformational change in how we do higher education in this state and I agree. Now the devil’s in the details.”