Rep. Kent Coleman (D-Murfreesboro)

Just like last year, Tennessee Republicans including Sen. Bill Ketron, Sen. Jim Tracy, and Rep. Joe Carr produced a budget that would kill the MTSU science building project that has been in the works for nearly a decade, but Kent Coleman says federal money is there to get it done if they only had the will to stand up for MTSU. From a press release:

MURFREESBORO (MAY 28) – State Rep. Kent Coleman of Murfreesboro believes the use of one-time federal money to fund the Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) Science Building is a unique opportunity for the number one capital improvement on the Tennessee Higher Education Commission’s (THEC) list of capital needs.

Coleman stated, “As part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, a change in the Federal Medicaid Match Rate (called FMAP) will result in one-time resources to the State of Tennessee, which cannot be deposited or credited to any reserve or rainy day fund in this state.” The adjustment in the FMAP results in approximately 340 million dollars which must be spent, in order to receive the benefits of this match.

The current budget proposals being communicated in the legislature have publicized the use of $16 million dollars of FMAP money for a fish hatchery to be located in Republican Speaker Kent Williams’ district. A special allocation to community colleges of $100 million dollars is to be spread throughout the state for capital improvements of the community college facilities. A West Tennessee Industrial Park is scheduled to receive $31.9 million dollars for the installation of infrastructure, and The University of Tennessee is to receive an additional $4 million dollars to demolish an existing building. The Tennessee Highway Patrol is to receive $90 million dollars to update its communication system.

Coleman further stated, “While all of these proposed capital expenditures may benefit Tennessee, we must set priorities and make the necessary investment in education, research and science.” “Some of the expenditures being considered don’t need to be funded in a lump sum,” Coleman said.

“We have more pressing concerns this year and fewer dollars to spend as a result of the recent downswing in the economy,” Coleman said. “As lawmakers and stewards of taxpayer dollars, it would make more sense to me for us to make more investments in education and research.”

MTSU has become the “University of Choice” for the largest number of undergraduate students in Tennessee and the academic quality of MTSU has improved throughout this enormous growth. MTSU, its students, and alumni should be recognized and supported for their role in higher education. When the FMAP money becomes available the science building deserves bi-partisan support of Republicans and Democrats. This needed improvement is a large capital project which has been on THEC’s capital list for at least nine years.

The Science Building would allow MTSU to attract and train students wishing to have careers in teaching, researching and otherwise working in the field of science. This resource would train students for future graduate studies in science, medicine, bioengineering and many other fields of future need. We simply cannot afford to neglect our institution of higher learning at a time when our economic recovery depends on long-term investments in education. FMAP money must be spent and MTSU’s Science Building should be on the top of the list to receive these funds.

“As a member of the General Assembly representing Rutherford County, I am concerned that Middle Tennessee has received the short end of the stick in this year’s budgeting process, and I call on member of the MTSU community to communicate their desires to legislators ” Coleman added.