In an effort to brush back criticism he's not serious about cutting state spending, Governor Rendell has provided details of the 500 million dollars he's chopping from his initial budget proposal.
Rendell He wants to reduce 182 line items, and eliminate 47 others.He says many of the cuts are programs he's proud of.
"Classrooms for the future-as you know, wildly successful. One of my initiatives, one of my favorite projects. All 22 million dollars. Services to non-public schools, ten and a half million dollars. Customized job training, 9 million dollars. Mental health services, eight and a half million dollars."
Rendell's proposal includes 13% cuts in funding for state-related schools: the University of Pittsburgh, Penn State, Temple and Lincoln; $45 million less in PHEAA grants for college students; and, elimination of state money for all museums including the Carnegie Museum of Natural History in Pittsburgh.
Republican critics say they're not impressed, pointing out Rendell's spending plan is still more expensive than this year's budget.
Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi, a Chester and Delaware County Republican, says the GOP will hold the line against increased spending and new taxes, even if budget negotiations drag on for several months.
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