Amidst news reports that Gov. Rick Scott is considering a veto threat of construction projects at Florida universities and colleges, the governing board for the state universities is preparing a lobbying assault to convince Scott to not veto some of those projects.
“I am going to prepare a letter to talk about the importance of dollars allocated to our system and the importance of dollars allocated for PECO and ask the governor to be mindful,” said State University System Board of Governors Chairwoman Ava Parker. ‘I’ve also directed Frank (Brogan) to work with Governor’s office and…do whatever he can to advocate on behalf of the system.”
Florida’s universities stand to receive $137 million from PECO dollars, which stands for Public Education Capital Outlay, and are used to fund construction and maintenance for new buildings on school campuses.
One university, the University of South Florida, would receive $46 million under the budget for its campus.
Colleges, too, are in danger of having their construction projects vetoed. Brevard Community College, for instance, would receive $8.9 million in the budget.
But the St. Petersburg Times reports that Scott is concerned about the bond ratings after a warning from Ben Watkins, the state director of bond finance, that a slump in gross tax receipts collections has left PECO funds vulnerable in its ability to take on more debt without risking the state’s bond rating.
