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Florida State University, the University of Florida, and the University of South Florida are being asked to return 400 million in reserve funds to help balance the budget. USF faces an additional 25 million dollar loss, because USF finds itself in a political battle with the powerful Senate budget chairman over the creation of a twelfth university.

State Senate Budget Chairman JD Alexander is considered one of the most powerful men in state Government. He was the driving force behind the University of South Florida’s Lakeland Poly Tech campus…Now he want the campus to be independent, and he is using the state budget to force the split.

The current budget plan would penalize USF 25 million dollars if it tries to block the divorce. Alexander has been called a bully for his tactics. He says he isn’t. “There has been more bullying by USF’s leadership than anything I would even think about doing, and I haven’t done it.”

Alexander contends USF president Judy Genshaft has tried to block the creation of an independent Lakeland university at every step. “She’s told numerous folks that she just plans to wait me out and not move forward with it,” says Alexander.

Alexander’s plan also asks USF, UF and FSU to give 400 million in reserves back to the state. Instead of asking for the cash, the money is being taken out of the budget, resulting in a 79 million dollar cut to USF.

The USF President was in the Capitol halls early Tuesday meeting with key House budget writers. “Well, we have a lot of advocates and good friends in the legislature, all over, and its our hope that we can work with them to make a difference for the University of South Florida,” says Judy Genshaft.

What is surprising here is that most Senators don’t want to talk about a twelfth University. When asked about the Lakeland situation, State Senator Evelyn Lynn replied “I have no position because we don’t know what the cuts are yet.” It was clear Higher Education Budget Chair Evelyn Lynn was uncomfortable talking about the plan.

Alexander’s budget committee is slated to spend all day Wednesday working on the budget. Asked if is interested in becoming the President of the new University, Alexander replied. “No Absolutely not”.