Senator Eliot Shapleigh - El Paso, Texas

McALLEN - In a recent editorial, the Austin American-Statesman asked state leaders what took them so long to fund the Irma Lerma Rangel College of Pharmacy School in Kingsville.

Now, state Sen. Eliot Shapleigh, D-El Paso, is asking why it's taking even longer to fund the four-year Texas Tech medical school in El Paso.

In a letter sent Tuesday to Sen. Steve Ogden, R-Bryan, chair of the Senate Finance Committee, Shapleigh asks that $38.5 million be made available immediately so that the medical school can open on schedule in August 2008.

“This medical school was first authorized by the legislature in 2001 and although one building is complete, with another soon to be completed, we have no money to hire faculty and enroll students,” Shapleigh wrote to Ogden.

“You and I both worked hard to remedy this, with the Senate approving a $38.5 million appropriation for the medical school last session. However, while the pharmacy school is set to open this fall, we still do not have the money we need to open the El Paso medical school.”

Shapleigh said the medical school was of critical importance to his district and constituents. “El Paso and the border have the least number of medical professionals anywhere in the United States. As a result of having so few professionals, it sometimes takes up to six weeks for children to receive routine pediatric care,” Shapleigh wrote.

Shapleigh said Ogden could do what his opposite number in the Texas House did. Rep. Jim Pitts, R-Waxahachie, chair of the House Appropriations Committee, asked Texas A&M System to find the money to ensure the Rangel pharmacy school opened on time this fall. Texas A&M System came up with the $5 million necessary.

“I am asking you to champion this project by contacting Texas Tech University immediately, or other officials if necessary, and asking for the money necessary to open the school on schedule on August 2008,” Shapleigh wrote to Ogden.

Last month, Shapleigh wrote to Gov. Rick Perry asking that funding for the medical school be one of the items added to the “call” for the upcoming special session.

Alternatively, he asked whether the Legislative Budget Board could be convened to fund the medical school.

“Currently, the lack of medical school faculty funding is compromising the future of El Paso’s health education, research and service sectors,” Shapleigh wrote to Perry.

“Texas Tech Medical School has been forced to consider postponing its August 2008 entering class as it waits for your leadership to secure the $38.5 million necessary for an operating budget.”

Shapleigh pointed out that the state currently has a $4.3 billion budget surplus. He said now would be the “best time” for Perry to take the lead in securing funds for the medical school.

Dr. Jose Manuel de la Rosa, regional dean at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in El Paso, has said that the opening of the medical school would have to be put back a year if lawmakers do not approve the $38.5 million funding request by this summer.

Last July, Perry committed $48.5 million in operational funds to the medical school and the Rangel pharmacy school. “It is high time the state kept its commitment to these institutions,” Perry said, at a press conference held soon after last year’s second special session wrapped up.

Perry said Texas Tech would get $38.5 million for the El Paso medical school and Texas A&M-Kingsville would get $10 million for the pharmacy school. He said the funds would be made through budget execution order. It took until last month for the pharmacy school money to come through and the medical school is still waiting.

Shapleigh said the El Paso community had demonstrated its “strong commitment” to the future and prosperity of the medical school by donating over $3 million in land and tuition support, along with a $25 million drive for private sector contributions. He said the school and the city now await the promised state funding to continue with its progress.