The House of Blue

Legislative approval for new projects at Kentucky universities continued its mostly smooth passage on Wednesday when the state Senate approved the measure 36-1.House Bill 7 allows several state universities to bond $363 million for 11 projects, including a $110 renovation of Commonwealth Stadium at the University of Kentucky. Those bonds will be paid back with university revenue rather than state General Fund dollars. The Senate changed the language of the bill slightly after it approved a committee substitute from Sen. Bob Leeper, I-Paducah, which forbids the universities from raising tuition to pay for the projects. Because of the committee substitute, the bill now returns to the House for concurrence. If the House agrees to the altered bill, which is expected, the measure will go to Gov. Steve Beshear for his signature.

At UK, in addition to the $110 million upgrade of the football stadium, the bill will allow a $65 million renovation of the Gatton Business School and a new $100 million science building. UK Athletics will pay for all of the stadium renovation and $65 million of the science building. The business school will be funded mostly through private donations.