Staff Report, May 18, 2019
According to a news release from Texas legislators including State Rep. Drew Darby, the Budget Conference Committee voted to include $17.4 million to establish a veterinary school at Texas Tech University. The full budget now goes to the House and Senate to concur on budget changes before sending it on to the governor’s office for an official signature. The following statement was issued by Sen. Charles Perry of District 28 which includes San Angelo; Sen. José Rodríguez of District 29; Sen. Kel Seliger of District 31; Rep. Dustin Burrows of District 83; Rep. Drew Darby of District 72, which includes San Angelo; Rep. John Frullo of District 84; Rep. Ken King of District 88; Rep. Four Price of District 87; Rep. John T. Smithee of District 86 and Rep. Drew Springer of District 68: “The Legislature has always recognized the value of robust and competitive university systems to meet the needs of a growing state that has an integral role in the success of our nation and global economy. “The Texas Tech University School of Veterinary Medicine (TTUSOVM) will help address the shortage of large and mixed animal veterinarians in rural parts of the state. “The addition of a second veterinary school will enhance the ability to meet the demand for a growing population and secure the food supply. The school will address the hundreds of students who are leaving the State of Texas for a more costly education, then coming back to practice in their home state with upwards of $250,000 in debt due to out of state tuition. “This is a great day for future veterinarians of this great state and for the entire country. “We want to thank all of the people who made this dream a reality—beginning with former Texas Tech System Chancellors Robert Duncan and Kent Hance, Chancellor Tedd Mitchell, Texas Tech President Lawrence Schovanec, fellow legislators and the thousands of others who supported the vet school. As usual, trusting in the process to do what is right for the citizens of this great state has once again been fulfilled.”