Mastriano as Anti-Intellectual

The Republican candidate for Governor of Pennsyvania can't seem to get his facts straight.

WESA, Pittsburgh's NPR news station, reported recently that four Pennsylvania universities intend to resist pressure from Republicans in the PA House. Each of the four will introduce tuition increases, despite calls from Republicans led by GOP gubernatorial nominee Doug Mastriano. These misguided folks argue Penn State, University of Pittsburgh, Lincoln and Temple are federally funded, and therefore do not need to increase tuition.

That's a lot of bat-bleep, and, GOTV feels, an expression of the anti-intellectualism that's been present in conservative American political thought for decades.

These universities did not receive a bump in funding in either of this year’s state or federal budgets. Instead, the four will split about $30 million from a one-time federal grant.

GOTV hasn't heard from any of Penn State, Temple or Lincoln on this question. But a Pitt spokesperson told WESA the Pitt share will be earmarked for student financial aid and outreach.