HARRISBURG — Gov. Tom Wolf’s first budget proposal announced Tuesday would provide $458 million to Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education next year, an increase of $45.3 million.

That would be the first increase in the state appropriation in seven years.

Slippery Rock University is one of the 14 universities in the state system.

“The governor’s budget proposal for the State System represents an important investment in the commonwealth’s future,” said board Chairman Guido Pichini in a release. “On behalf of the universities, our students and their families, we are grateful for this strong demonstration of support.”

Wolf’s proposal calls for a similar increase for the state system in 2016-17.

Currently, the system gets essentially the same level of state funding as it received in 1997-98.