State Sen. Greg Evers, R-Baker, is working to help FAMU’s Crestview Education Center open as planned in Fall 2012 despite Gov. Rick Scott’s decision to veto the campus’ $1.5M funding appropriation.
“Some money will be transferred to FAMU that will cover that $1.5 million for this year and funds will be put back in as a recurring expense for next year,” Baker told the Crestview Bulletin. “So it will not hold up the project; that's the bottom line.”
Baker succeeded Sen. Durell Peaden, R-Crestview, in the Florida Senate District Two seat back in 2010. Peaden steered a total of $11M into FAMU’s budget during the 2009 and 2010 legislative sessions in order to cover start-up costs such as facility renovations for the Crestview Education Center.
The transfer of $1.5M will ensure that Florida taxpayers receive a return on the millions they have already invested into satellite campus. The money is required to cover operational expenses such as salaries, utilities, and equipment.
Scott took away the center’s operating budget as part of $142.7M in line item vetoes he made to the 2012-2013 budget. That money will now enter the state’s reserves. The governor said he slashed the appropriations in the interest of creating jobs and curbing wasteful spending.
The veto actually jeopardized Okaloosa County’s efforts to use FAMU’s satellite campus to attract more job creators to the community. The Okaloosa County Economic Development Council is closing in on a deal in “Project Pill,” which aims to bring a Southern Pharmaceutical manufacturing plant to Crestview. Southern Pharmaceutical wants to establish a partnership and internship program with FAMU’s Crestview Education Center. Its new plant would create 120 permanent jobs with high salaries.
Local officials say that landing the plant could help transform Crestview in a pharmaceutical manufacturing city because companies in that industry frequently cluster together in areas that offer resources they can share.
“If we get that pill factory, they’re going to be knocking down our doors to bring others,” Okaloosa County Commissioner Wayne Harris said.
Archives
-
▼
2012
(193)
-
▼
April
(39)
- Division of Journalism earns reaffirmation of accr...
- Dental Insurance
- Pro Day opens door for Tyms, Elliott to enter NFL
- FAMU CIS designated a National Center of Academic ...
- FAMU MANRRS earns "Chapter of the Year" award
- Student abandoned at birth scheduled to graduate w...
- J-School student documentaries tackle tough topics
- Beta Nu celebrates 80th anniversary
- “Think Like a Man” opens at #1 with $33.6M
- Joyner, Clyburn, and Odinga to keynote spring comm...
- Miss FAMU's quilt initiative tells story of FAMU
- FAMU changes homecoming date to help fans avoid lo...
- GOP senator working to help FAMU overcome veto set...
- FAMU remains only HBCU on Princeton Review’s “Gree...
- Hardee should not tolerate foul, demeaning languag...
- Scott vetoes $1.5M for FAMU’s Crestview Ed Center
- Badger mimicking Bill Jennings-style spinelessness
- Robert Champion, Trayvon Martin comparisons ignore...
- FAMU Law's HALSA team finishes in top ten
- Goodman, Kante receive top MEAC honors
- FAMU opens Center for Public Computing and Workfor...
- Bus company, driver fighting back against Chestnut...
- West, Jefferson clinch victory in run-off
- Robinson, Akbar speak out against FAMU board’s unp...
- Chestnut quiet about disputed facts concerning bus...
- FAMU professor awarded $250K grant for mental heal...
- TV20: FAMU implements new dress standards for stud...
- Resignations from FAMU Anti-Hazing Committee are j...
- Trustees spurn Torey, elect McWilliams vice-chairman
- CBS: Marching 100 alum, Fla. Teacher of the Year, ...
- Dental Assistants are in High Demand
- Why Become a Dental Assistant?
- Hudson orders run-off election for SGA presidentia...
- Ross, who delayed retirement to assist Champion in...
- Blogger: Rufus yelled “F--k you” at her, scuffled ...
- Requirements to Become a Certified Dental Assistant
- Torey loud about alleged ΚΚΨ hazing, but was tight...
- Employment Areas for Dental Assistants
- Dental Assistant
-
▼
April
(39)