On July 7, Pennsylvania’s budget for fiscal year 2010-11 was signed into law by Gov. Rendell after being passed by the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and State Senate. Also last week, Gov. Rendell signed House bill 2294, Temple’s annual Commonwealth appropriation, which will provide Temple with $172 million over the next year. House Bill 2994 received unanimous support in the State Senate and broad bipartisan support in the State House when voted on earlier this year.

“The Commonwealth appropriation helps Temple provide access to excellence in education each year and is critical to all of the university’s endeavors. As the state budget continues to be impacted by the recession, securing these funds will be increasingly difficult, and the advocacy of the Temple community becomes all the more important,” said Kenneth Lawrence Jr., senior vice president for Government, Community and Public Affairs.

In order to support those who want to advocate for Temple, the Office of Government Relations has created the Temple Advocates Legislative Outreach Network (TALON). In recent weeks, nearly 1,000 members of the Temple community have joined TALON and have taken action by thanking their elected officials for supporting the Temple appropriation bill in this year’s budget deliberations.

The Office of Government Relations is asking all members of the Temple community to join TALON, and thank their elected officials in the state legislature and Governor Rendell for their support. More information is available at the Office of Government Relations website.