Senator Mike Fasano, District 11 — Press Release

Joint Statement By Senator Mike Fasano & Senator Paula Dockery Regarding Proposed Cuts to the University of South Florida’s Proposed Budget

“We stand united in our opposition to the proposed cuts to the University of South Florida’s funding for the next fiscal year.  We also stand opposed to the attempt to split off the USF Lakeland campus to create a new state university.  While this split is being used as a major argument to justify the cuts, we see it as nothing more than an unconscionable push to force an issue that neither the university nor the students want.

“We call upon leadership in the Senate to see this blatant and outrageous move to hurt the University for what it is.  It is our hope that the Senate president will step in and put a stop to this abuse of the legislative process.  The University of South Florida has been singled out from all other universities in the state for cuts that will devastate this fine school.  All institutions of higher learning understand that budget cuts may happen in this tight fiscal year, but all should be treated fairly.  This proposal is anything but fair.  It is politics pure and simple.”

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