Dockery & Fasano slam Alexander regarding USF budget cuts

Shortly before noon the two released this statement:


“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.”

  • Paula Dockery

Although it's hardly done deal that the massive budget cuts for USF listed by the Florida Senate will happen (the House cuts aren't nearly as harsh), there is undoubtedly supreme concerns about what happens next on the Fowler Avenue campus this Tuesday.

The overwhelming message that school president Judy Genshaft and members of USF's Board of Trustees Monday night was for everyone who gives a hoot to contact state legislators and tell them not to support the proposed 58 percent cut.

Some legislators however, hardly need to receive the message, as they've already expressed their support for the institution against the power play being demonstrated by Republican Senate Budget Chairman J.D. Alexander.

Two of those legislators are Bay area based Senators whose terms will in Tallahassee soon: Pasco County's Mike Fasano and Polk County's Paula Dockery.

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