Florida State and other flagship universities stand to reap the rewards of an $83 billion budget deal that is throwing the 2017 legislative session into overtime.
The House and Senate are about to seal a deal that includes $210 million for construction and maintenance projects for the state’s 12 public universities, without additional borrowing. The pile of cash includes $16 million for an earth and atmospheric sciences building at FSU.
The University of Florida would get $19 million for Norman Hall. Another $46 million would go for brick and mortar projects in rural public schools, including $19 million to begin an elementary through middle school in Jackson County.
Governor Rick Scott has the final say. Last year he vetoed $53 million in university and state college projects.