Move for transparency at Pa. state-related universities stalled

Pennsylvania’s four state-related universities have received about the same level of funding as last year under the budget plan just signed by Gov. Tom Corbett.But one issue remains unresolved: final action on proposed transparency and governance reforms.

The schools are largely exempt from Pennsylvania’s open-records law.

Efforts to update that law and bring state-supported universities under it were overshadowed by other big issues this spring.

The Legislature has some unfinished business, said state Sen. Andy Dinniman, D-Montgomery.

“These are issues that involve state-related universities, and we hope that when we return in the fall, we will look at these issues and come to conclusions that encourage transparency,” he said.

Penn State, Pitt, and Temple will receive the same amount in state aid as they did last year.

Lincoln University and Penn State’s affiliate technical school each will receive a $2 million boost.