Centre Co., PA (WJAC) — There's been progress in the state legislative deadlock that has held up state funding for Penn State, Pitt and other state-funded universities.

But lawmakers say there's still "no timetable" on when the funding may be released.

Among those attending Penn State's University Park campus this week for the event featuring controversial activist Riley Gaines was state Senator Cris Dush.

“Intellectual discussion and intellectual honesty are paramount on a university campus.”

Sen. Dush is more than a casual observer as the fate of state funding for the four state related universities is now in the Senate.

It’s a separate appropriation bill that generally requires two-thirds majority in the state House to move to the Senate, but when a group of House Republicans held up the university funding this year, criticizing ongoing tuition increases, the House majority, earlier this month, shifted the funding mechanism.

“The direct support from the state will now come from the Department of Education. There’s precedent for doing so. We all feel a great sense of urgency in resolving this soon.”

At Penn State, for decades, students from Pennsylvania have paid lower tuition rates due to the state funding support. Lawmakers say they are hearing from alumni who are frustrated about the current deadlock.

“Everyday. I think people are feeling the pinch of this. The concern is we won’t be able to come together.”

Also still tied up is funding for Penn State's well known ag research and extension program, with support personnel statewide.

In 2016, a similar delay in state funding led to plans to lay off more than one thousand extension personnel before the issue was finally resolved.

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