By Tejas Shastry
Legislative delays in Frankfort resulted in construction delays at the University of Louisville.
President Dr. James Ramsey said the Kentucky General Assembly’s refusal to consider four major U of L projects could have expensive consequences.
“Delaying that [stadium] project will increase the cost of the expansion by $8-$14 million,” Ramsey said.
As the summer dwindled down, the General Assembly was embroiled in a tense political battle over Gov. Ernie Fletcher’s proposed special legislative session. Fletcher convened the session to reconsider vetoed legislation that included authorization of the four U of L projects.
The projects originally up for reauthorization were the expansion of Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium, renovation of Miller Hall, research facilities for the Health Sciences Campus and a downtown garage for the Health Sciences Campus.
Fletcher’s call to Frankfort was met with stiff Democratic opposition, with the House of Representatives adjourning immediately, saying the items on the special session agenda could wait until the January 2008 regular session. Since then the House has agreed to convene only to discuss an energy bill to attract Peabody Energy to western Kentucky.
“We’re disappointed, there’s no question,” said Ramsey. “There were a number of projects that were approved in the 2006 session and vetoed by the governor. We were told by the General Assembly that they would override the veto and they didn’t.”Fletcher placed those projects on the special session agenda, but they will not reach a vote until January 2008. The delay in Frankfort translates into delays in construction for U of L, a problem Ramsey said that may have expensive repercussions. Director of Housing and Residence Life Shannon Staten said, “The university is going to continue using Miller Hall for right now, but all renovations and expansions have halted due to the lack of funding.”
Tamara Alonso, a sophomore nursing major and a former resident of Miller Hall, said, “I think the renovation of Miller Hall is one of the university’s most important projects. It’s in really bad shape.”
Ramsey agrees. “It’s an older hall. We want to renovate and provide students with all the amenities they need. And we think that’s important to retention rates and graduation rates.”
Alonso continued, “I’m sure none of Kentucky’s legislators could live there for a week. I guess since we are students we’re taking the backseat to more important projects throughout the state.”
The legislature’s inactivity will also halt construction on a planned 1,700 car garage at the Health Sciences Campus.
“As we build our research programs, people will need a place to park,” said Ramsey. Researchers need a place to park. People suffering from cancer who visit our cancer center need places, too.”
After reflecting over the summer’s events, Neil Gupta, a sophomore pre-med student said, “I feel this fiasco in Kentucky’s General Assembly illustrates how inconsiderate our state legislators can be.”
“When will they start focusing on tomorrow’s leaders?” Gupta said. “I feel that we should really take better strides in developing our state as well as our campus.”
