“They took a huge cut last year. I think they’ve done their fair share,” Senate Appropriations Committee Jake Corman, R-Centre, said in an interview after a budget hearing for the state Department of Education. “Whether we can get there or not – that depends. But that’s my goal.”

Corman, whose committee plays a major role in the annual budget derby, said he’s looking for the full restoration of cuts Corbett has proposed for the 14 state-owned universities – which include Kutztown and East Stroudsburg universities; the four-state related schools (Penn State, Temple, Pitt and Lincoln universities) and the state’s community colleges.