Rep. Gattis Efforts Critical to Continued Funding for Project
Representative Gattis has worked closely with the budget conference committee to secure $16 million for continued expansion of the new Texas A&M Health Science Center campus in Round Rock. The committee announced a recommendation for $8 million in addition to the $8 million included in the base budget for the Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine bringing the total to $16 million over the next biennium.
This has been a priority project for Representative Gattis since securing $33 million in initial funding in the 2007 budget. The funding is not guaranteed until the budget receives approval from the House and Senate and is signed by the Governor.
Those familiar with the project acknowledge that Representative Gattis continued efforts to secure the funding are responsible for the $16 million being included - funding that is critical to the continued construction and operation of the medical school in Round Rock that will host more than 200 medical students by 2012.
Since Representative Gattis and Senator Ogden were critical to the A&M Health Science Center in Round Rock they joined A&M System and Health Science Center officials in offering speeches during the ground breaking ceremony for the medical school located on FM 1460 near University in Round Rock on November 20 2008. The campus set to open for classes this fall is on schedule and on budget.
As a leader in the House of Representatives Rep. Gattis has served as an unrelenting advocate for the citizens of Texas by championing numerous causes critical to our fast-growing state said Nancy W. Dickey M.D. president of the Texas A&M Health Science Center and vice chancellor for health affairs for the A&M System.
As a means of addressing the unprecedented health care work force shortages facing our state and with a diligent focus on bringing medical education to Central Texas he continues to provide the legislative leadership necessary to support expansion of the Texas A&M Health Science into Williamson County.
We need to finish the job we started with the A&M Health Science Center last session. This is a wise investment in a valuable program that will bring a highly acclaimed medical school to Central Texas while educating more doctors to assist with the growing healthcare needs of our entire state Representative Gattis said.
Representative Gattis is serving his fourth term in the Texas House of Representatives and represents House District 20 which includes much of Williamson County and all of Milam County.
