NANTICOKE, Pa. — "We have been very careful about how we're spending our money right now." Said Thomas Leary, President of Luzerne County Community College.
A hold up in Harrisburg is causing a crisis for LCCC, and all community colleges across Pennsylvania.
According to a release from the Pennsylvania Commission for Community Colleges the state's 15 community colleges are the only public higher education institutions yet to receive operating funds authorized in the state's FY 2023-24 budget.
This year's budget included a two percent operating fund increase for the community colleges. But schools have yet to see any money, because legislation has not been passed yet by the General Assembly authorizing the release of the funds.
"We've never experienced this before, normally when the state budget is passed in July, we receive payments every two months." said Leary.
Now the college has gone six months without receiving a cent.
Leary says it's becoming a dire situation, and they'll do what they can to stay afloat.
"A number of our community colleges have had to establish loans and lines of credit. Fortunately, because of good fiscal management here at Luzerne County Community College, we have been able to hold the ship the way it is right now, but that time will be running out." he said.
Leary says community colleges are the largest provider of higher education in Pennsylvania with about 280 thousand students across the state.
Schools like LCCC focus on accessibly, and affordability, especially for the nontraditional student.
"I attended LCCC, it fit in to my schedule. College at the time, full time college, I was not able to afford it." Said Representative Jim Haddock of the 18 District.
Rep Haddock says it's his first time dealing with this kind of hold up in Harrisburg, too.
"It's my first budget process. I am just appalled. We have been on the floor three different times." said Haddock.
Haddock says it's a hold up in the code needed to release the funds. He says three different versions of it, have been stalling out in the senate.
"The fight isn't over the money for our community colleges and our library systems. It's a fight over all the other pet projects of our senate." said Haddock.
The state legislature returns to session on December 11th, and community college presidents like Leary hopes these students will be top priority for lawmakers.
"It is challenging, but it is something that we need to keep our eye on the prize. And our eye on the prize is to make sure students have everything they need." said Leary.
Rep. Haddock says he is meeting with President Leary on Monday to help push forward a resolution.
The news release from the Pennsylvania Commission for Community Colleges says that the colleges are "nearing the point of exhausting viable options to mitigate the impact" on students and staff, stressing the importance of the General Assembly passing the necessary legislation.
Newswatch 16 asked Leary if any of this financial hold up could trickle down into student costs. He was adamant that it should not impact any increase in tuition.