UNLV medical school could get full state funding after all

Staff and wire reports

Thursday, May 7, 2015 | 11:59 a.m.

CARSON CITY — Senate Majority Leader Michael Roberson said he expects lawmakers will find enough money to give the University of Nevada, Las Vegas' planned medical school all the money it's asking for.

The Republican senator said he predicts the Legislature will identify another $19 million for the proposed school before the session ends, and more details on the funding plan could come on Thursday.

Meanwhile, members of a budget subcommittee approved Gov. Brian Sandoval's recommendation to put only $8.3 million toward the project over the next two years. That's less than the $27.7 million that school officials requested.

Sandoval's staff initially said they weren't granting the full request because the school couldn't absorb all the money at the front end.

The joint subcommittee’s recommendation will be considered by the full Assembly Ways and Means Committee and the Senate Finance Committee next week.

The first class would have 60 students and is slated to start in 2017.

The governor’s recommendation calls for five employees to be hired next year and 34 the year after.

The university plans to build an $80 million building financed by private donations.

The new 150,000 square foot school will be built immediately north of the UNLV Shadow Lane Campus. In the interim, classes will be held at the North Las Vegas Veteran’s Administration Medical Center.

The joint subcommittee also approved Sandoval’s recommendation for an additional $1.5 million to expand education at UNR's medical school.