The Florida Senate added $2 million on Thursday to its spending-plan for the expansion of the USF St. Petersburg Business School, part of a total of 53 budget amendments up for committee consideration.
The Senate’s budget for USFSP now stands at $15 million, outpacing the House’s proposed funding level by about $5.5 million, according to Matt Dixon of PoliticalFixFlorida.com.
USF St. Petersburg College of Business had $5 million in the current year budget but needs an extra $20 million.
Presently, business classes are spread out in a number of locations. Construction of a business school facility is currently at the “Piano Man” Building site, now used for classrooms and faculty offices.
The extra $2 million comes out of the Indian River State College resources, originally slated for classroom renovations, Dixon writes.
The USF amendment was one of more than 50 added by Senate Budget Chief Joe Negron for consideration by the Senate Budget Committee. They all passed without comment.
Afterward, the committee passed an primary $74.9 billion budget, which is $700 million larger than the current fiscal year budget.
House Appropriations also passed a $75.3 billion proposal, by a 21-6 vote Wednesday. Each chamber will have floor votes of their own budget plans, opening them up to other amendments.
Once a final plan passes the Legislature, it goes to Gov. Rick Scott, who can choose to reject specific funding programs and plans.
