Higher education is one of Pennsylvania’s top discussion points this budget season.

Lawmakers heard from community colleges today, who talked about dual enrollment, one time improvement projects, and the governor’s consolidation plan.

Pennsylvania’s 15 community colleges are asking for an 8.1% increase in their budget this year, or $347 million.

This increase would combat inflation, fund one time improvement projects, and makes up for money lost last year during the budget delay.

Some lawmakers took time to applaud how community colleges adjust education to match the needs of a wide variety of populations. College presidents talked about dual enrollment and how that saves students money by getting them through college quicker.

Many fished for more details on the Governor's plan to merge higher education systems-- a main focus being how any plan could help with transferring credits.

Right now, institutions craft articulation agreements (which allow the transfer of credits from one institution to another) on a one by one basis.

“Instead of EC3 (Erie County Community College) contacting each of those 30 or 40 institutions that we’re developing articulation agreements with," said Dr. Chris Gray, president of the college. "What if we said every state school in Pennsylvania- its automatic.”

The Governor has proposed combining the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) and state community colleges into one governance entity. Right now, community colleges are each their own independent entity.

Lawmakers were unimpressed again today by lack of details for legislation to be included in budget plans.

Testifiers noted that the level of change the governor has proposed will require more than a few months to get set up.

But- the process is starting.

“The conversations we have had are good, and I think ideas come out of that," said Dr. Donald Guy Generals, President of Community College of Philadelphia. "And I think its an example of how there is benefit to having the two year and the four year colleges sitting on a table, en mass, trying to solve the problems.”

 Looking specifically at any potential plan, Dr. Generals emphasized the importance of local autonomy if schools join a state system.

Higher education across the state wants the same things- but a long road remains to seeing change in a complicated, at times convoluted system.

“We want to ensure that any student that chooses to go through a two year or a four year should be able to afford it, should be able to access it, and any credits that they take in any of our institutions should go toward the degree they are working toward," said Dr. Quintin Bullock, President of Community College of Allegheny County.