Allegheny County Democrats push for Pitt funding as Pa. budget deadline edges closer

Democrats continue to throw their full support behind the University of Pittsburgh’s funding after Pennsylvania House Republicans added a take-it-or-leave-it amendment to Pitt’s appropriation bill.

Numerous Allegheny County Democrats gathered Tuesday in Harrisburg to speak in favor of Pitt and decry the amendment that would restrict state-related universities from receiving funding if they conduct fetal tissue research.

“It’s disheartening that we are in a place and time where (House Republicans) are choosing to put their political beliefs ahead of the people of Pennsylvania (and) families of Pennsylvania,” said Senate Minority Jay Costa, D-Forest Hills, who sits on Pitt’s board.

The amendment, which passed on Monday, is the latest effort from House Republicans to take a stand against Pitt’s 2020 research, which they allege included illegal and unethical practices.

Rep. Jerry Knowles, R-Schuylkill, the amendment’s sponsor, said his goal “is not to stop the funding,” the Associated Press reported.

“As a matter of fact, I want to help Pitt get themselves out of a problem that they created,” Knowles said on Monday.

Pitt’s fetal tissue research has gained attention from national and local Republicans. In December, an independent law firm assessed the research and found it was “fully compliant with applicable laws,” though some Republicans claim the firm’s review was incomplete and tainted by conflicts of interest.

On Tuesday, Democrats not only spoke in support of Pitt and its students, but also the university’s fetal tissue research, which several referred to as “life-saving.”

“Shutting down this research would not stop abortions; it would only stop medical advancements,” said Rep. Dan Frankel, D-Squirrel Hill.

The lawmakers also believe disrupting Pitt’s funding could harm families who are struggling to afford college.

“They are sitting there with their spreadsheets and their calculators as a family trying to figure out: ‘How can we afford to send a child to school?’” said Rep. Dan Miller, D-Mt. Lebanon. “This is a direct attack on the future of kids and the future of the region.”

Republicans began to question their support for Pitt’s funding last summer. If the legislature follows a six-decade precedent of providing money to Pitt, the university could receive over $159 million in general support funding during the 2022-23 budget year.

Pitt would use this money to provide tuition discounts for its in-state students. Pennsylvania provides each Pitt in-stater with about $8,900. Pitt gives an additional $6,100 out-of-pocket for a discount total of $15,000.

If Pitt does not receive its $159 million appropriation, Rep. Eric Nelson, R-Hempfield, said the state would redirect these funds to PHEAA, which would then distribute the money to in-state Pitt students.

Other state-related universities that receive funding through state appropriation bills are Penn State, Temple University and Lincoln University. Penn State spokeswoman Lisa Powers said the amendment would not impact Penn State as the university does not conduct research using fetal tissue.

Time is ticking for lawmakers to iron out the state budget, which must be adopted by June 30. If an agreement on the $42 billion budget plan does not happen by the end of the month, Pennsylvania will lose some of its spending authority.

However, political leaders on both sides of the aisle have remained publicly optimistic about negotiating a budget deal before Friday, the Associated Press reported.