Likins appeals to state Legislature

Wildcat File Photo Arizona Daily Wildcat "I doubt our law school could function as a private enterprise, and that is essentially what is being endowed here." Peter Likins UA president

"The proposed withholding of funding should be removed from the table," Likins told the House Appropriations Committee.

Likins' plea came one day after lawmakers revealed that the state may have more that $250 million in unanticipated revenue.

He said the unexpected money should spare the universities from the $15 million budget cut proposed last month.

"I hope that because of the improved picture in terms of revenue, that we will be spared the cuts that seemed imminent," he said. "I feel much more optimistic now than I did a few weeks ago."

Legislators are also hopeful that universities will benefit from the new revenue forecast. Sen. Linda Aguirre, D-Phoenix, said she thinks many of the proposed cuts are no longer a reality.

"It looks like some of those budget cuts are not going to happen," she said.

Rep. Mike Gardner, R-Tempe, added that he has "been told by leadership that they'll be able to reverse the budget cuts."

Likins explained the importance of funding several programs requested by the UA in January. The Optics Initiative program would use a portion of $2 million in state funding to enhance the UA Optical Science Center.

He also pointed to teacher retention as a point of concern for university and state leaders. He said the UA has lost "a couple hundred" faculty members in recent years who have been lured away by higher-paying jobs in other states.

Likins said he supports the governor's proposal to increase the budgeted funding for state employees by 2.5 percent. The pay raise would help the university retain its faculty members, he said.

The state's proposed budget cut to the UA College of Law was also among Likins' concerns. He said the recent donation of $115 million by James E. Rogers would be lost if the state phases out its funding for the law school.

Likins said benefactors want to add to the success of a program, not have their money take the place of state money.

"I doubt our law school could function as a private enterprise, and that is essentially what is being endowed here," he said.

Likins expressed support for Gov. Jane Hull's plan to give $1.7 million to the UA's College of Agriculture. The money would be used to construct and operate a greenhouse that would specializing in the training of hydroponic farming.

Jeff Young, a member of the governor's budget team, said hydroponic farming would allow UA students to learn how to grow vegetables in the ideal environment.

Unlike the governor's proposal, the Joint Legislative Budget Committee's proposal does not contain an appropriation to the College of Agriculture for the greenhouse.

Likins said he is "very impressed with the sophistication" of the hydroponics program and hopes the JLBC will include it in their final budget.