The Commonwealth finalized its full Fiscal Year 2020-2021 on November 23, 2020, following enactment of an interim five-month budget on May 29, 2020 due to the global pandemic. Lawmakers appropriated $31.955 million to the School of Veterinary Medicine in May for the full fiscal year. The Animal Health and Diagnostic Commission, which supports a laboratory at New Bolton Center, and the Penn Working Dog Center received pro-rated funding equal to 42 percent of FY 2019-2020’s appropriations in May, with the remaining 58 percent being appropriated in November.

New Commonwealth Trustee Named

Pennsylvania Senate President Pro Tempore Jake Corman has appointed Vahan Gureghian as a Commonwealth trustee. Mr. Gureghian served in this role previously from February 2009 until March 2015, having been appointed by former House Republican Leader Sam Smith. Commonwealth trustees are four nonelected officials appointed by the following representatives of the Pennsylvania General Assembly: President Pro Tempore and minority leader of the Senate, and the Speaker and minority leader of the House of Representatives, each of whom have the power to appoint one trustee in accordance with Act 25A of 1994.