University Times

State House, Senate recommend that Pitt receive $167.5 million

By a 198-1 vote yesterday, the state House of Representatives approved a bill recommending $167.5 million in state funds for Pitt next year — a 5.9 percent increase over the University's current state funding.

The state Senate last month recommended an identical Pitt appropriation by a 49-0 vote.

Gov. Ridge is expected to sign the bill into law, Ridge's deputy press secretary Jerry Feaser and Pitt Commonwealth Relations director Ann Dykstra said in separate interviews yesterday.

The House and Senate are recommending that Pitt receive, for the fiscal year that begins July 1:

* $145 million for educational and general expenses.

* $8.3 million for the Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic.

* $6.74 million for the School of Medicine.

* $4.5 million for laboratory improvements and equipment.

* $1.1 million for the dental clinic.

* $703,000 for rural education outreach at Pitt's Bradford campus.

* $536,000 for the Services for Teens at Risk program.

* $346,000 for services to disadvantaged students.

* $270,000 for the Center for Public Health Practice.

Earlier this year, the House approved a $162.2 million appropriation for Pitt, the same amount that Gov. Ridge had recommended in his February budget address. But the Senate upped that to $167.5 million last month, then sent the amended version back to the House — which endorsed it with yesterday's vote.

The University, in its budget request last fall, asked state lawmakers for $164.5 million plus one-time appropriations of $2.5 million for advanced research and $1.5 million to prepare Pitt students for the 21st century economy.

— Bruce Steele