Home > GJsentinel.com breaking news > Archives > 2008 > March > 26 > Entry
Plan to divert funding from Mesa State project fails
A Boulder County lawmaker’s plans to divert $18.4 million in state funds from Mesa State College’s Saunders Field House project to other state building projects died tonight on a voice vote.
Rep. Paul Weissmann, D-Boulder, saw his amendment, aimed at diverting the funds into underwriting “life and safety” building maintenance, fail after a series of state lawmakers lambasted his efforts.
“I’m particularly protective of projects in rural areas,” said Rep. Buffie McFadyen, D-Pueblo West. “We have a lot of students served by a school such as Mesa State. I don’t want to have a project with a big hole in the ground.”
Rep. Steve King, R-Grand Junction, said if the state withholds funds from the Mesa State project, its costs will soar.
“We all know that price is going to go up,” King said. “It is not going to be cheaper to do this in 24 months.”
Weissmann said he offered his amendment in an attempt to fund the Mesa State project through a legislative initiative announced earlier this week to borrow $150 million to fund a series of higher education projects, including a science building expansion for the Auraria Higher Education Center in Denver
“Let me first make it very clear I am not trying to eliminate the Saunders Field House at Mesa State College,” Weissmann said. “I support that project.”
He argued if the state does not pay for its building maintenance costs with capital construction funds, such as those dollars earmarked for Mesa State, that money in future years will come from other important state programs.
Rep. Bernie Buescher, D-Grand Junction, however, said it is unclear if the state could borrow money to pay for the Saunders Field House.
“Mesa County has raised almost half of the money for this project themselves and we’re considering saying never mind,” Buescher said. “That … is just patently unfair.”
A second amendment aimed at diverting the Saunders Field House funds to a Front Range college was withdrawn from consideration.
Permalink | |
