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Rhoades Announces Hearing on Historic Community College LawHARRISBURG - Senator James J. Rhoades (R-29), chairman of the Senate Education Committee, announced that the Senate Education Committee will conduct a hearing on Tuesday, September 20th regarding historic changes in the funding of the Commonwealth's community colleges that the General Assembly enacted in July. "In July, 2005, the General Assembly enacted the most sweeping changes in fifteen years to the law that governs state funding for our system of community colleges," said Rhoades. "The process we used to enact this new law is one of the finest examples of bipartisan cooperation toward a goal that is essential to the education of our present and future workforce. "Working with the Governor, and my colleagues in the Senate and House, we were able to achieve something that will help our community colleges for years to come." Act 46 of 2005 substantially revised the state funding formula for community college payments and established new mechanisms for reimbursements for capital projects. In addition, the Governor and the General Assembly worked together to provide an historic 9%, or $21 million funding increase for the community colleges. "One of the major challenges our community colleges have faced in recent years has been the inconsistency of state allocations, making it difficult for them to plan for the future," said Rhoades. "That's why it was imperative that the General Assembly worked to ensure that future state funding is not only stable, but also predictable." According to Rhoades, in addition to a more stable and more predictable funding formula, the new law eliminates annual swings in state allocations to individual community colleges and provides incentives for programs that are essential to Pennsylvania's workforce. "Senator Rhoades fully understands and recognizes the unique role that only the Community College can fill in post-secondary education," said Don Snyder, President of Lehigh Carbon Community College. "Senator Rhoades recognizes that education is key to enhancing the quality of life and building a strong economic future for his constituents as well as the Commonwealth." "Act 46 is the most significant reform for Pennsylvania's community colleges since the original law more than 40 years ago. This streamlined and predictable funding process will support the quality of our programs and our open access mission," stated Diane Bosak, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Commission for Community Colleges. "We are pleased to have this opportunity to publicly thank Senator Rhoades, Senator Musto, the four caucuses of the legislature, and the Governor for their commitment to resolving our crisis." "The Commonwealth invests $250 million a year in our community colleges. That is an investment that pays off – in the opportunities it provides for community college students and in the growth of our state's economy," said Rhoades. "These historic changes can make that investment even more valuable for our community colleges." The Senate Education Committee will meet on Tuesday, September 20th from 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. in Room 8EB East Wing of the Capitol . Coverage is encouraged.
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