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A Pa. lawmaker wants to make any state money for universities contingent on standing against antisemitism
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette link: https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-state/2023/12/11/penn-pitt-antisemitism-rob-mercuri/stories/202312110091
HARRISBURG — Following a weekend when top University of Pennsylvania officials resigned amid accusations the school responded abysmally to antisemitism, state Rep. Rob Mercuri said Monday he wants to require universities that get state money to acknowledge antisemitism as harassment or bullying.
The four state-related universities — including the University of Pittsburgh — collectively receive hundreds of millions of dollars from the state each year, while a separate system of universities that is fully owned by the state is to receive $585 million this year. Mr. Mercuri, R-Allegheny and a candidate running for Congress next year, said testimony before the U.S. House last week by then-Penn President Liz Magill and other top university heads was “heartbreaking and abhorrent” in its failure to fully condemn antisemitism. Ms. Magill resigned over the weekend, as did Penn Board of Trustees Chairman Scott Bok.
Mr. Mercuri indicated his forthcoming bill would put taxpayer-funded universities to a similar test and tie their flow of money “to their declaring that anti-Semitic behavior and calls for genocide of Jews is unacceptable.”
The Democratic-controlled state House already has passed a package of bills to strengthen anti-hate crimes laws. Those bills, sponsored by Rep. Dan Frankel, D-Allegheny, and Rep. Napoleon Nelson, D-Montgomery, are awaiting action in the Senate. Sen. Jay Costa, D-Allegheny and the top Democrat in the chamber, on Tuesday urged that they get immediate action. He said tensions are running high and there have been big surges in reported offenses against some groups.
- more at link -
The four state-related universities — including the University of Pittsburgh — collectively receive hundreds of millions of dollars from the state each year, while a separate system of universities that is fully owned by the state is to receive $585 million this year. Mr. Mercuri, R-Allegheny and a candidate running for Congress next year, said testimony before the U.S. House last week by then-Penn President Liz Magill and other top university heads was “heartbreaking and abhorrent” in its failure to fully condemn antisemitism. Ms. Magill resigned over the weekend, as did Penn Board of Trustees Chairman Scott Bok.
Mr. Mercuri indicated his forthcoming bill would put taxpayer-funded universities to a similar test and tie their flow of money “to their declaring that anti-Semitic behavior and calls for genocide of Jews is unacceptable.”
The Democratic-controlled state House already has passed a package of bills to strengthen anti-hate crimes laws. Those bills, sponsored by Rep. Dan Frankel, D-Allegheny, and Rep. Napoleon Nelson, D-Montgomery, are awaiting action in the Senate. Sen. Jay Costa, D-Allegheny and the top Democrat in the chamber, on Tuesday urged that they get immediate action. He said tensions are running high and there have been big surges in reported offenses against some groups.
Sounds great but you're running out of time, guys. The Capitol building in Harrisburg will be closed for roof repairs after this coming Friday. Get the budget passed pronto. This other stuff might have to wait.
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