A state senator is questioning why the Appropriations Committee, which Sen. Jake Corman leads, isn’t holding hearings as part of the regular budget process.

Corman, R-Benner Township, said they’re not scheduled because the committee held four extensive hearings in the fall at the campuses of the state-related universities, including Penn State.

He said he didn’t think it was necessary to have the same university leaders go to Harrisburg to go through it again.

Corman added that if Gov. Tom Corbett’s proposed budget includes substantial changes to the universities’ appropriations, the committee would give university leaders the opportunity to testify.

Corbett will release his proposed budget in February, and appropriations hearings are scheduled for that month. The state-related institutions are scheduled to appear at an appropriations hearing in the House on Feb. 22.

State Sen. Larry Farnese, D-Philadelphia, said he sent Corman a letter asking why hearings aren’t scheduled in the Senate.

Corman noted that Farnese, a member of the committee, did not attend any of the four meetings in the fall, including the one in Philadelphia.