As coverage of the Chancellor’s testimony to the Senate Budget Committee continues to roll in, the picture sounds pretty clear. Very few legislators are on board with the Governor’s proposal to slash PASSHE’s budget by 50%.
However…
A couple of reminders before we all get swept in the rush towards finals, our looming summer plans, and so on–
1. If you’ve followed events in Wisconsin and Ohio, in particular, throughout February and into March, then you know how often the public employee unions there thought that they were making real progress in getting Governors Scott Walker and John Kasich to back off their preposterous proposals. We all thought, in Wisconsin especially, that the Republican state senators were realizing how absurd the whole situation was and that they’d do the right thing.
They didn’t. Not a damn one of ’em. Acting (maybe even believing themselves) *today* as if they’re on our side doesn’t mean they will be when the votes actually count.
2. One reason the PA Senate Budget Committee can afford to be so vocally supportive of our system is our work. They know we’re out here. They know we’re watching. They know we’ll support people who support us, and we’re doggedly oppose people who don’t. They know thousands of students, faculty, staff, and administrators/managers are actively protesting the cuts, and our work both demands their efforts and emboldens them.
So, take the first round of good news for what it’s worth–a validation that what we’re doing to fight the cuts is right. But don’t take it for more than it’s worth–we haven’t won anything yet.
Next step:
Monday, in Harrisburg–a rally at the Capitol @ 11:30 am.
If you’re a WCU student interested in going, contact Seth <herecomestrouble1208@gmail.com> and let me know.
APSCUF-WCU 