Repairs fine, but hold off on new construction

Arizona's three public universities have joined with some of the state's leading business associations to pressure the Legislature into funding a $1.4 billion package for repairing existing buildings and launching new construction.

In the middle of an economic slowdown and a potential $1.8 billion budget shortfall next year, it would be easy for lawmakers to throw up their hands and say the universities are asking for the impossible. But lawmakers can show a little courage and wisdom if they dissect the proposal and approve the most critical projects needed to maintain the state's current capacity for higher education.

The universities and their allies have done their best to wrap up this proposal in pretty red ribbons. The universities have pledged to pay for the financial costs for the next two years, and then the state would take over 80 percent of the debt payments with general tax revenues. The benefits would be roughly divided equally between Arizona State University, the University of Arizona and Northern Arizona University. Business groups support the plan because it would create tens of thousands of construction jobs throughout the state during a huge slump for their industries.

It's up to lawmakers to discern between vital concerns and the wish-list approach taken in putting together this package. About $525 million would support repairing or restoring deteriorating structures. The other $900 million would fund new buildings, such as a medical school campus in downtown Phoenix and a health sciences center at ASU Polytechnic in southeast Mesa.

ASU President Michael Crow told us the state would be wise to invest in expanding public higher education, despite the fiscal woes, to prepare for the growth from 53,000 high school graduates now to 75,000 graduates a year by 2016.

But Arizona won't serve those graduates well if it borrows so much money that the state is forced precipitously to raise taxes or face bankruptcy. Crow can't promise that the economy will turn around in time for the state to shoulder its share of the debt in 2010.

On the other hand, Arizona has a basic responsibility for the maintenance and upkeep of buildings already open for business. For years, the Legislature has refused to provide enough funding for this purpose and then objected loudly when the Arizona Board of Regents raised tuition rates instead.

This decision came to roost last year, when a fire at ASU's Memorial Union caused millions of dollars in damage. ASU previously couldn't afford to immediately install fire sprinklers as part of a remodeling project which likely would have prevented much of that damage.

Allowing buildings to fall apart or failing to upgrade them properly costs all of us more in the long run and puts lives in danger. The state didn't provide the cash in the past, so borrowing might be the only way to get these critical projects done now.

Lawmakers need to hope for the best and accept the task of caring for the existing campuses. The rest of the universities' request will have to wait for better times.