Oldham Optimistic About Legislative Funding

Tech President Phil Oldham said he is pleased to see some of the university’s priorities included in Governor Bill Lee’s new state budget.

The University submitted its priorities during the fall. Oldham said the legislators are in favor of investing in items that will sustain smart growth and meet the workforce challenges of the growing economy.

“Through the legislative session this spring we’ll be obviously having communication with a lot of our legislative representatives to see if there’s some more opportunities to address some of those outstanding issues,” Oldham said.

A report last week showed infrastructure needs on the Tech campus topping some $700 million. Oldham said the state has invested heavily in capital projects in recent years, but more is needed.

“I’m sure they’ll juggle those expectations and the limited resources they have,” Oldham said. “But they’re pretty bullish about investing in the future so I would expect them to give it careful consideration.”

Oldham said Tech’s materials for this budget were presented last fall and taken into consideration for the governor’s proposed budget. Oldham said that budget will have to be reviewed and adjusted by the state legislature before final approval.

Oldham said it is not unusual for Tech to not get everything it requested in the budget as “you never get everything that you want and ask for.”