Senate passes bill to fund college buildings

By Kristina Torres

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Georgia's public colleges are a step closer to getting more money to build dorms, parking decks, student centers and other nonacademic buildings under a bill passed Wednesday by the state Senate.

Senate Bill 302 increases from $300 million to $500 million the cap for the Georgia Higher Education Facilities Authority. The bill's sponsor, Sen. Cecil Staton, R-Macon, said the increase was necessary because the authority has already issued more than $294 million in revenue bonds.

"This is, in reality, economic development," Staton said.

Any projects funded through the authority must have a set source of money for repayment. That burden often falls on students through mandatory fees.

The Senate voted 45-5 to pass SB 302. It now goes to the House for consideration.