Albright College, a local private college in Reading, Pennsylvania, invited our favorite gas-bag to speak at their graduation ceremony being held on Saturday, May 22, 2011. Since being invited to speak at Albright in January, Governor Corbett proposed a draconian 1.2 billion dollar reduction in public education, both K-12 and Higher education. Higher education received the brunt of the cuts: a 52-56% reduction depending on which report you read.
At the 14 Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) universities these cuts would have forced a 33% or $2500 increase in tuition and steeper increases at the state-related universities Penn State, Temple, Pitt, and Lincoln. Last week, the Pennsylvania House Grand Ol’ Party decided to reduce the cuts to 15%, which would still be a devastating cut in public education.
On May 22, 2011, Albright College will be hosting Governor Corbett as their commencement speaker. We will be there protesting and showing our outrage at Corbett’s appearance. It is time to stop complaining on your computers and begin to speak up and play hardball against the Governor’s education cuts. This summer will be one filled with turmoil in the state capital with a slew of Anti-union bills, Voter ID bills, and bills that go after women’s rights expected to be introduced. On top of that, the issues affecting the citizens of the Marcellus Shale Region ( a story for another day) will be front and center. After PA legislators vote on and approve a budget, the next battle will be over collective bargaining rights. It is time to draw a line in the sand and let the state know what we will fight for.
When: May 22nd – 1:30 PM
Where: Albright College, Reading PA. 13th Street between Exeter and Bern Streets. Click here for directions.
Honestly, you had me at the first sentence: ‘our favorite gas-bag.’ Very nicely written. =]